# NTSB CEN09CA104: Mooney M20C, N1216X, Edgewood, NM, December 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 26, 2008, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Edgewood, NM - Coordinates: 35.017501, -106.271385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0175&lon=-106.2714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73140/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA104 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power while at cruise altitude for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument-flight-rules flight plan when he experienced a total loss of engine power 6 minutes after switching fuel tanks. The pilot initiated an emergency descent and broke out of the clouds at approximately 300 feet above the ground and landed in a clearing with the landing gear retracted. The airplane slid approximately 300 feet and impacted a fence. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument flight rules flight plan when he experienced a total loss of engine power 6 minutes after switching fuel tanks. The pilot initiated an emergency descent and broke out of the clouds at approximately 300 feet above the ground and landed in a clearing with the landing gear retracted. The airplane slid approximately 300 feet and impacted a fence. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1216X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1216X-2016-08-03), registration cancelled 2016-08-03, S/N 2619, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 2619 - Airframe hours: 4586 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 2008, 4,586 hours before - Departed: KSJT, San Angelo, TX - Destination: KABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 1N1, Sandia Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 348 total, 348 in this make and model, 303 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: KABQ, 16 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 20081226853079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081226853079A), Dec 26, 2008: Mooney M20C, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Operated 1216X on an instrument flight plan enroute from san angelo, TX to albuquerque, NM. [privacy data omitted] Acft experienced a… 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.