# NTSB ATL88LA035: Mooney M20A, N1051B, Southport, NC, November 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Southport, NC
- Coordinates: 33.919979, -78.019447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9200&lon=-78.0194&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 February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA035

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE IN A NEARBY WATERWAY. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION, AND THAT THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL. THE RIGHT TANK WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN ABOUT 5 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1051B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1051B-2011-06-28), registration cancelled 2011-06-28, S/N 1278, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1277
- Airframe hours: 4880
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William E.Morrett
- Registered owner: Morrett, William E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 38 hours before
- Airport: SUT, Brunswick County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 694 total, 570 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19871112063539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871112063539A), Nov 12, 1987: Mooney M20A, Southport, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff due to full starvation. Force landed in a canal. Fuel selector on empty tank. Fuel in other.

## Other investigations on N1051B (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK67D0082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0082), Aug 15, 1966: Mooney MK20A (N1051B), Kyburz, CA, substantial damage

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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