# NTSB ERA19TA042: Mooney M20C, N78870, Wildwood, NJ, November 10, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: November 10, 2018, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Wildwood, NJ - Coordinates: 39.007778, -74.914169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0078&lon=-74.9142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98627 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98627/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98627 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA042 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to initiate a 180° turn following the loss of power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/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 M20C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane contained 21 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank and 3 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank before the flight. The pilot performed the engine start, taxi, runup, and takeoff with the fuel selector on the right fuel tank. During the initial climb, at an altitude between 100 and 200 ft above ground level, the engine sputtered and then lost all power. With about 1,700 ft of runway remaining, the pilot entered a right turn, and the airplane impacted the ground left of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, the left horizontal stabilizer, and left elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the right fuel tank contained no fuel, and the left fuel tank contained about 20 gallons. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position. It is likely that, during the accident sequence, the pilot moved the fuel selector to the left tank position; but the airplane’s low altitude at the time of the loss of power provided insufficient time to restore fuel flow before impact. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to initiate a 180° turn following the loss of power despite the runway remaining. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2018, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20C, N78870, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wildwood, New Jersey. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the left fuel tank contained about 21 gallons of fuel, and the right fuel tank contained about 3 gallons. He used the right fuel tank for engine startup, taxi, runup and takeoff. A video recorded by a witness captured most of the flight. The airplane took off from runway 28, which was 4,998 ft long. About 7 seconds after liftoff, the landing gear were in the fully retracted position. About 15 seconds after liftoff, at an altitude of about 150 ft above ground level, the engine began to “sputter” and then stopped. About 21 seconds after liftoff, while still over the runway and with about 1,700 ft of runway remaining, the airplane began a descending 180° turn to the right and impacted a drainage ditch left of runway 10. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the outboard 3 ft of the right wing, as well as the left horizontal stabilizer and the left elevator. No fuel was found in the right-wing fuel tank, and about 20 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left-wing fuel tank. The fuel selector valve was found in the left fuel tank position. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was 14 months before the accident. According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate. His most recent FAA third-class medical examination was performed on June 3, 2016, at which time he reported 900 hours of total flight experience. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78870](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78870-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 2885, built 1964 (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: 2885 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 3538 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A10 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2017 - Departed: WWD, Wildwood, NJ - Destination: CPC, Whiteville, NC - Airport: WWD, Cape May County, runway 28, 4,998 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 16 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: WWD ## 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 20181110017159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181110017159A), Nov 10, 2018: Mooney M20C, Wildwood, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed runway 28 at wwd under VFR and at approximately 100' to 200' the engine began to sputter and quit. The pilot attempted a 180 degree return… ## Other investigations on N78870 (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 FTW66F0429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0429), Dec 7, 1965: Mooney M20C (N78870), Fort Worth, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW66F0344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0344), Oct 20, 1965: Mooney M20C (N78870), Dallas, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98627. 3.3 MB in all. - Memorandum for record - NTSB form 6120 (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12520468&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-01%20Memorandum_for_record_NTSB_Form_6120-Rel%20(2)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - information from FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12070252&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-02%20Memorandum_for_record_Information_from_FAA_Inspector_ERA19TA042-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records excerpts (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 812 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12070168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03-01%20Excerpts%20from%20Airplane%20Maintenance%20Logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12070262&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06-01-%20photo%20array_19TA042-Rel.pdf - Overhead view of runway- annotated (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12072817&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=08-02%20overhead%20view%20of%20airport-Rel.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. --- 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.