# NTSB FTW93LA012: Mooney M20J, N201BL, Mexia, TX, October 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1992, 23:00 local (Oct 14, 1992, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Mexia, TX
- Coordinates: 31.670848, -96.479812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6708&lon=-96.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FUELED THE AIRCRAFT WITH JET FUEL INSTEAD OF AVAITION GASOLINE. FACTORS WERE THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO A NIGHT DEPARTURE FROM A LOCAL AIRPORT THE PILOT REFUELED HIS AIRPLANE. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. AN EVALUATION OF THE FUEL REVEALED THAT THE AVIATION FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED WITH JET A TYPE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201BL-1993-03-30), registration cancelled 1993-03-30, S/N 241259 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1259
- Airframe hours: 2837
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Abilene Aero Inc, doing business as Lubbock Aero
- Registered owner: Abilene Aero Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1992, 92 hours before
- Departed: TX06
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 60 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 45 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 19921013043139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921013043139A), Oct 13, 1992: Mooney M20J, Mexia, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in tall grass off airport. Jet fuel in tanks from self service fuel station.

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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