# NTSB ATL93LA018: Mooney M20F, N2975L, Johnson City, TN, October 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1992, 20:00 local (Oct 28, 1992, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Johnson City, TN
- Coordinates: 36.329639, -82.360214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3296&lon=-82.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ANY NAVIGATIONAL OR COMMUNICATION RADIOS, EXCEPT FOR A HAND HELD RADIO. THE WEATHER IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA WAS MARGINAL FOR FLIGHT IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT SEEMED TO BE IN A HURRY TO DEPART, THEY STATED THAT HE DID NOT PERFORM ANY PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED NEAR THE ORIGINAL POINT OF  DEPARTURE NEARLY TWO AND ONE HALF HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL REMAINING IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SELECTED TO THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2975L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2975L-2003-08-29), registration cancelled 2003-08-29, S/N 670334, built 1967 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670334
- Airframe hours: 2833
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glogowski, Stefan W.
- Registered owner: Glogowski, Stefan W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: 0A4

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,780 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 20 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 19921027044299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921027044299A), Oct 27, 1992: Mooney M20F, Johsnon City, TN, Substantial damage. Bought aircraft. Took off in MVFR encountred fog. Crashed. Fuel selector on empty tank. Did not pre flight prior.

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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