# NTSB BFO93LA015: Mooney M20K, N231JU, Orange, VA, November 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1992, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Orange, VA
- Coordinates: 38.240402, -78.109237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2404&lon=-78.1092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA015

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT WHICH INCLUDED DRAINING THE FUEL SUMPS, AND RUN UP BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING CLIMB OUT AT ABOUT 3400 FEET, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT COMPLETED THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST WHICH INCLUDED ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, BUT ALL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE PILOT REVERSED DIRECTION AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A HILL.  AN INSPECTION BY THE FAA REVEALED WATER IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231JU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231JU-1996-03-14), registration cancelled 1996-03-14, S/N 250137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 309134
- Airframe hours: 1380
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GBI 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rouben Yedigarian
- Registered owner: Rouben A Yedigarian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: W93
- Destination: W49, CULPEPPER, VA
- Airport: W93, Orange County, runway 7, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 238 total, 134 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F

## 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 19921129048219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921129048219A), Nov 29, 1992: Mooney M20K, Orange, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climb to cruise. Reversed course but landed short. Water in fuel and in fuel source.

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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