# NTSB ATL90LA057: Mooney M20A, N8199E, Parris Island, SC, January 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1990, 19:30 local (Jan 26, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Parris Island, SC
- Coordinates: 32.34999, -80.679214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3500&lon=-80.6792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA057

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INSURE THAT SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS ABOARD FOR THE FLIGHT, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED THAT NONE OF THE THREE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED ANY FUEL. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND OPERATED TO FULL POWER WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN FUEL WAS SUPPLIED. RECORDS INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST FUELED 3.47 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, WHEN THE FUEL QUANTITY WAS BROUGHT UP TO 34 USABLE GALLONS. ACCORDING TO ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS, THE ENGINE CONSUMED 11.0 GALLONS AT 75% POWER, 10.3 GALLONS AT 70% POWER, AND 9.5 GALLONS AT 65% POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8199E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8199E-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 1470, built 1959 (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: 1470
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ernest A. Matacotta
- Registered owner: Ernest Matcotta
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC
- Destination: 73J, BEAUFORT, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,420 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,381 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBC, 1 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 19900125001639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900125001639A), Jan 25, 1990: Mooney M20A, Hilton Head Is, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise. Struck a tree on forced landing. No fuel onboard. Planned flight nine minutes.

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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