# NTSB ATL87LA098: Mooney M20F, N6990V, Winnsboro, SC, March 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1987, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Winnsboro, SC
- Coordinates: 34.37075, -81.080169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3708&lon=-81.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA098

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ACFT HIT A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS ON TAKEOFF. THE ACFT HAD RECEIVED ANNUAL INSPECTION DURING WHICH NO CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FOUND. THE ACFT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, IN THE RAIN, TO AWAIT THE OWNER'S PICKUP. THE FUEL SUMPS WERE NOT CHECKED BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS FOUND COCKED. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND GASCOLATOR AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6990V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6990V), registered now, S/N 22-1361 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 221361
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sea Flight, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1987
- Destination: CUB, COLUMBIA, SC
- Airport: FDW, Fairfield Company, runway 22, 3,200 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 840 total, 630 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 28 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870326044499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870326044499A), Mar 26, 1987: Mooney M20F, Winnsboro, SC, Substantial damage. The engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft struck a fence and a ditch on landing. Water found in fuel.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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