# NTSB ATL88LA087: Mooney M20E, N2633W, Liberty, NC, February 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1988, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, NC
- Coordinates: 35.849288, -79.569274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8493&lon=-79.5693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPTD THAT HE OVERESTIMATED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD THE ACFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR AT CRUISE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A FIELD.  DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE AIRPLANE VAULTED THE CREST OF A SMALL HILL AND CAME BACK DOWN ON THE NOSE GEAR.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED A TREE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2633W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2633W-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 972, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 972
- Airframe hours: 2585
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sutton, James P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1987, 28 hours before
- Departed: MTV, MARTINSVILLE, VA
- Destination: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19880207002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880207002699A), Feb 7, 1988: Mooney M20E, Liberty, NC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and crashed into trees during forced landing. Overestimated fuel onboard at departure.

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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