# NTSB DEN87LA242: Mooney M20K, N6874U, Aspen, CO, September 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1987, 12:18 local (18:18 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.189624, -106.819702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1896&lon=-106.8197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA242

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY PLEASURE FLT THE ACFT ENGINE FAILED APX FOUR MILES SHORT OF THE DEST APRT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6874U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6874U-1989-09-19), registration cancelled 1989-09-19, S/N 2578 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2578
- Airframe hours: 3921
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wheatridge Flying Club
- Registered owner: John F. Sort
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1987, 85 hours before
- Departed: SJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Destination: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Airport: ASE, Sardy Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 3 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 4 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 19870920058969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870920058969A), Sep 20, 1987: Mooney M20K, Aspen, CO, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel 4 miles short of destination. Landed in a field. Reported destroyed but no indication of same.

## Other investigations on N6874U (2)

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 DEN75FTC05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75FTC05), Aug 5, 1974: Mooney M20C (N6874U), Sheridan, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67A0092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0092), Mar 12, 1967: Mooney M20C (N6874U), Mangum, OK, 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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