# NTSB CEN13CA190: Mooney M20E, N199Q, Middletown, OH, March 12, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2013, 22:00 local (Mar 12, 2013, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, OH
- Coordinates: 39.531665, -84.396385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5317&lon=-84.3964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86398/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86398
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA190

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the noncurrent pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management and decision-making and his decision to conduct the flight after consuming alcohol.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Maintenance/inspections: scheduled maint checks](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during an approach to land, he attempted to activate the runway lights via the push-to-talk radio switch in the cockpit; however, the lights would not activate. While continuing to fly for about 2 hours attempting to locate another airport, the airplane ran out of fuel, and the pilot executed a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted power lines and brush covered terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. During the flight, the pilot entered class C and class D airspace and instrument meteorological conditions without clearance. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate or flight review, and the airplane's annual inspection was not current. The pilot admitted to emergency first responders that he had been consuming alcohol before the flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and passenger departed the airport for a local flight at night. During an approach to land at another airport, the pilot attempted to activate the runway lights via the push-to-talk radio switch in the cockpit; however, he reported the lights would not activate. The pilot then attempted to locate another airport in which he flew into class C and class D airspace without clearance. At several points in the flight, the pilot entered instrument meteorological conditions without clearance. Subsequently, the airplane ran out of fuel, and the pilot executed a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted power lines and brush covered terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot did not hold a current medical certificate or flight review, and the airplane's annual inspection was not current. The pilot admitted to emergency first responders that he had been consuming alcohol before the flight. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) from the pilot were unsuccessful.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N199Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199Q-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 1179 (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: 1179
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: On File
- Registered owner: On File
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Middletown, OH
- Destination: Middletown, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night

## 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 20130311002759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130311002759A), Mar 11, 2013: Mooney M20E, Miamisburg, OH, Destroyed. The pilot took off into marginal VFR conditions at night in an unairworthy aircraft - no current annual inspection. The pilot did not check the fuel quantity,…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86398. 51 KB in all.

- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspectors (item 1, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspectors-Master.PDF

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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