# NTSB BFO89LA050: Mooney M20E, N1950Y, Weirton, WV, June 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Weirton, WV
- Coordinates: 40.400428, -80.560211 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4004&lon=-80.5602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA050

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT.

## 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 - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE PREFLIGHT INCLUDED DRAINING FUEL TO CHECK FOR WATER AND NONE WAS FOUND. HE STATED THAT ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, SHORTLY AFTER HE LEVELED AT 2300 FT MSL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON WOODED TERRAIN AND THE ACFT STRUCK SEVERAL TREES BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL INJECTION SERVO UNIT, FUEL STRAINER AND ELECTRIC BOOST FUEL PUMP. THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK WAS USED DURING THE FLIGHT AND IT RUPTURED DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE. ABOUT 2 OUNCES OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE FUEL TANKS WERE NOT FULL BEFORE THE FLIGHT AND THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT IN ABOUT A MONTH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1950Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1950Y-1990-06-18), registration cancelled 1990-06-18, S/N 257 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 257
- Airframe hours: 2552
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter Sadauskas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 11 hours before
- Departed: P64, BURGETTSTOWN, PA
- Destination: TSO, CARROLLTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 560 in this make and model, 535 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIT, 18 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 19890630018829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890630018829A), Jun 30, 1989: Mooney M20E, Weirton, WV, Destroyed. Engine quit shortly after departure. Undershot open field and hit trees on landing. Low fuel accumulated water.

## Other investigations on N1950Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK64X1773](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1773), May 15, 1964: Mooney M20E (N1950Y), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage

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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