ERA20LA123

The pilot departed the airport with full fuel tanks. About 1 hour and 15 minutes into the flight, and about 5 minutes after switching fuel tanks, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot attempted to recover engine power, including the application of carburetor heat; however, these attempts were unsuccessful. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field where the airplane collided with a fence and was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or anomaly. The airplane was being operated in weather conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. Since the power loss was sudden, and the pilot immediately applied carburetor heat, it is unlikely that carburetor icing was a factor.

On March 7, 2020, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20C, N9281M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near McIntyre, Georgia. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was conducting a pleasure flight under visual flight rules. All ground operations and engine run-up checks were normal. Both fuel tanks were full prior to departure. During cruise flight, about 5 minutes after switching from the right to the left fuel tank, the engine suddenly lost all power. An attempt to restart the engine, which included the selection of carburetor heat, was unsuccessful. He performed a forced landing into a field. After touchdown, the right wing collided with a fence post and the airplane came to a stop. The fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. There was no fire. The wreckage was recovered to a storage facility and examined. Both wing tanks contained an adequate supply of fuel. The fuel selector handle was in the left tank position. Two in-line fuel filters were free of contaminants or obstructions. An examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of a malfunction or anomaly that would have prevented normal operation. The aircraft was being operated in weather conditions that were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power.