# NTSB ATL93LA027: Mooney M20D, N6742U, Darien, GA, November 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1992, 04:25 local (09:25 UTC)
- Place: Darien, GA
- Coordinates: 31.370912, -81.420783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3709&lon=-81.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE FOG AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE AVAILABLE EN ROUTE WEATHER SOURCES.

## Analysis

A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED BY THE PILOT WHICH CONTAINED PRECAUTIONS REGARDING COASTAL FOG. NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT REQUESTS FOR WEATHER INFORMATION WAS MADE, BY THE PILOT, UNTIL TERMINAL WEATHER WAS SOUGHT VIA AWOS. VISIBILITY WAS LISTED AS ONE HALF MILE, WITH PARTIAL OBSCURATION & A 100 FOOT CEILING. A VOR APPROACH WAS ATTEMPTED. AFTER A MISSED APPROACH, AN ILS APPROACH WAS ATTEMPTED AT AN AIRPORT PREVIOUSLY OVERFLOWN. A MISSED APPROACH AGAIN OCCURRED. EN ROUTE TO REQUESTED VFR CONDITIONS, THE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED. A LANDING WAS MADE IN THE MEDIAN OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.

## 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
  - light condition - dark night
  - in-flight weather advisories - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6742U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6742U-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 168, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20D
- Registry model: [Mooney M20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20d) (registry code 5870210) (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: 168
- Airframe hours: 6603
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jones, Douglas D.
- Registered owner: N6742u, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1991
- Departed: TUP, TUPELO, MS
- Destination: 49J, HILTON HEAD IS., SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSI, 15 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 19921124051059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921124051059A), Nov 24, 1992: Mooney M20D, Darien, GA, Substantial damage. Unable to land at destination and alternate. Ran out of fuel en route to another alternate. Inadequate fuel reserve

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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