# NTSB ATL97LA005: Mooney M-20F, N6434Q, Griffin, GA, October 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1996, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Griffin, GA - Coordinates: 33.239681, -84.270492 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2397&lon=-84.2705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA005 ## Probable cause Fuel system contamination that resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. A factor was rough terrain at the emergency landing site. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis Ten minutes into the flight, and while on a visual approach for a full stop landing, the pilot reported that the engine developed a rough running condition. The procedures attempted by the pilot to restore flight sustaining engine power, failed. The pilot selected a forced landing area. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence, and came to rest adjacent to a state road. Fuel samples were collected from both main fuel tanks and the fuel selector at the accident site. An additional fuel sample was collected from the fuel tanker at the departure airport that refueled the airplane. The examination of the fuel samples from both main fuel tanks disclosed an abnormally high level of contamination and an abnormally cloudy visual appearance. The samples contained sand, rust and small pieces of fuel tank sealant. In addition to the debris found in the two main fuel tanks, unidentified organic debris was found in the fuel sample collected at the fuel selector valve. The examination of the fuel injector filter assembly disclosed an abnormally high level of coarse debris contamination. The origin of the debris found in the fuel system was not determined. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 1996, at 0940 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M-20F, N6434Q, collided with a fence while attempting a forced landing to a state road near Griffin, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Peachtree City, Georgia, at 0930. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, and while on a visual approach to runway 32, the engine developed a rough running condition. According to the pilot, he switched the fuel selector from the left main fuel tank to the right main fuel tank, and turned on the fuel boost pump, but flight sustaining engine power was not restored. After surveying his forced landing options, the pilot selected a forced landing area and established an approach. As the airplane touched down, the pilot realized the terrain roughness of his forced landing selection. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence, and came to rest adjacent to a state road. During the field examination of the airframe, fuel samples were collected from both main fuel tanks, and the fuel selector. An additional fuel sample was collected from the fuel tanker at the departure airport that refueled the airplane. The examination of the fuel sample from the left fuel tank disclosed that an abnormal level of contamination was present along with an abnormally cloudy visual appearance. The sample contained sand, rust and small pieces of fuel tank sealant. The right main tank sample was similar to the left tank sample except there was no fuel tank sealant found in this sample. In addition to the debris found in the two main fuel tanks, unidentified organic debris was found in the fuel sample collected at the fuel selector valve. The examination of the fuel injector filter assembly disclosed an abnormally high level of coarse debris contamination. The filter body and fitting were heavily coated with oxide or rust. The filter element contained sand and a very high level of rust. There were no other mechanical problems noted during the examination of the aircraft. The origin and time of the fuel system contamination was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6434Q (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Mooney M-20F - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 670513 - Airframe hours: 3145 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Caldaso Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: FFC, PEACHTREE CITY, GA - Destination: 6A2 - Airport: 6A2, Griffin Spalding County, runway 13, 3,301 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 40 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 19961014032149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961014032149A), Oct 14, 1996: Mooney M20F, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach. Hit a fence trying for a road. Fuel contained sand rust sealant and debris. Origin unknown. (-23) no narrative. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.