# NTSB BFO94LA022: Mooney M20C, N1377W, Waynesburg, PA, November 30, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 30, 1993, 14:43 local (19:43 UTC) - Place: Waynesburg, PA - Coordinates: 39.889755, -80.179595 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8898&lon=-80.1796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8875/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA022 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PREPARATIONS, PLANNING AND DECISIONS. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. ## 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 - exhaustion - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL AND WAS FLOWN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BY THE ACCIDENT PILOT. THE PILOT THEN DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO A DESTINATION LOCATED 709 NAUTICAL MILES AWAY, WITH NO PLANNED FUEL STOPS. ABOUT 5.5 HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING ABOUT 652 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE OR AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT MANUAL, PERFORMANCE SECTION, THE ENDURANCE OF THE AIRPLANE IS 5.2 HOURS WITH FULL FUEL, 75 PERCENT POWER, AND 2,500 FEET MSL. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED. ## Factual narrative On November 30, 1993, about 1443 hours eastern standard time, N1377W, a Mooney M20C, registered to William Klima, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The forced landing followed an in-flight loss of engine power during cruise. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at 0925 hours and was destined for Butler, Pennsylvania. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that he was seated in the right front seat during the flight, and that he held a certified flight instructor certificate. He stated that he departed from New Smyrna Beach with 52 gallons of fuel on board. During the flight, he switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank and flew for 45 minutes. He reported that the left fuel tank "went dry", so he switched back to the right fuel tank "thinking I had about 45 minutes of gas to get to [the Washington County Airport]." According to the pilot, the engine lost partial power about 10 minutes after he switched tanks. He activated the fuel boost pump and rocked the wings, but the engine eventually lost all power. The airplane was at 3,000 feet above the ground at the time of the engine failure, and the pilot attempted to land at the Green County Airport, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The airplane impacted trees about one mile from the airport. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. The airplane wreckage was examined by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector at the accident site. According to the inspector, no fuel smell or ground contamination was observed at the site. An examination of the fuel system revealed "that it was intact and the filler caps were properly attached. Further investigation of the fuel tanks, fuel strainer, and fuel lines revealed no fuel present." The inspector also reported that no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were found with the engine, airframe, or systems. Investigation by the FAA inspector also revealed that the airplane was filled to capacity on November 29, 1993, at New Smyrna Beach. A witness reported that the pilot flew the airplane for about 20 minutes prior to the flight to Butler, Pennsylvania. The distance between New Smyrna Beach and Butler is 709 nautical miles. The accident occurred near the Green County Airport, located 652 nautical miles from New Smyrna Beach. The total time of the accident flight was 5.5 hours. According to the aircraft flight manual performance data, the endurance of the airplane with full fuel (52 gallons) at 2,500 feet mean sea level and 75 percent power is 5.2 hours. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot's "lack of fuel management contributed to fuel exhaustion of the aircraft." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1377W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1377W-1995-07-18), registration cancelled 1995-07-18, S/N 2658 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2658 - Airframe hours: 2035 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William Klima - Registered owner: William Klima - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1993, 40 hours before - Departed: 34J, NEW SMYRNA BCH., FL - Destination: 3G9, BUTLER FARM, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,737 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AFJ, 25 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 19931130045199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931130045199A), Nov 30, 1993: Mooney M20C, Waynesburg, PA, Substantial damage. Departed without enough fuel to complete planned flight. Ran out of fuel. Nosed over landing. 5.5HRS max for plane 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.