# NTSB ATL98LA105: Mooney M20A, N8385E, Marathon, FL, August 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1998, 11:03 local (15:03 UTC) - Place: Marathon, FL - Coordinates: 24.709043, -81.079765 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7090&lon=-81.0798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43627 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43627/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA105 ## Probable cause The inadequate inspection of the fuel pump during the last engine overhaul, that subsequently resulted in a worn diaphragm, fuel venting overboard, and loss of engine power from fuel exhaustion during a critical phase of flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel system,pump - leak (cause) - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate (cause) - Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis While on a short final approach, the engine quit. When the runway could not be reached, a forced landing was made into a shallow bay adjacent to the flight path, to avoid obstacles,. Following the accident, the engine was disassembled and examined. During the examination, the fuel pump diaphragm was found perforated, which would allow fuel to be dumped overboard, during flight. An examination of the maintenance records indicated that the fuel pump was not inspected nor repaired during the last engine overhaul. The pilot indicated in his report of the accident that he and his passenger had smelled fuel at one point during the cross country flight. Since the odor did not persist, the flight was continued. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1998, about 1103 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20A, N8385E, collided with the ocean during a visual approach to the Marathon Airport, Marathon, Florida. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules (VFR). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The private pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Warner Robins, Georgia, about 0700, on the same day. According to the pilot, he refueled prior to departure and verified the fuel tanks were full. He climbed to 7,500 feet and leaned the mixture for the flight. He used the fuel in two of the fuel tanks during the flight, and was operating off the third fuel tank as he approached Marathon. Upon turning final for runway 9 at the Marathon Airport, with the landing gear extended, the engine quit. He stated he turned left to avoid buildings, then collided with the water seconds later. Subsequently, during an examination of the engine, the fuel pump diaphragm was found to be perforated, which would result in pumping fuel overboard, during flight. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane maintenance records reported that the fuel pump had not been inspected nor repaired during the last engine overhaul. In his statement, the pilot indicated that at one point during the flight, at a time and position that could not be recalled, he and his wife smelled fuel. The odor lingered for a short while and they forgot it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8385E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8385E-2002-09-30), registration cancelled 2002-09-30, S/N 1563, built 1960 (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: 1563 - Airframe hours: 1811 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronnie L. Fuller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1997 - Departed: 5A2, WARNER ROBBINS, GA - Destination: MTH - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MTH, Marathon Airport, runway 7, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 250 in this make and model, 803 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 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 19980807028969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980807028969A), Aug 7, 1998: Mooney M20A, Marathon, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) While on a short final approach, the engine quit. When the runway could not be reached, a forced landing was made into a shallow bay adjacent to the… 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.