# NTSB FTW93LA116: Mooney M20E, N9337M, Fort Worth, TX, April 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1993, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.860488, -97.209068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8605&lon=-97.2091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA116

## Probable cause

PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND RESULTANT DISCREPANCIES. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE HAD REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE POWER DECREASED TO A LEVEL THAT WOULD NOT SUSTAIN THE CLIMB. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO AVAILABLE TERRAIN, ROUGH AND UNEVEN. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS AND THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS NOT DELIVERING SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF FUEL DURING HIGH POWER SETTINGS.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 1993, at approximately 1440 central standard time (CST) a Mooney M20E, N9337M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Worth, Texas, following a loss of engine power during the initial climb of a takeoff. The private pilot was not injured during the visual meteorological conditions flight. The airplane was owned and operated by Robert E. Randolph of Fort Worth, Texas.

During an interview with the pilot, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, he reported that during his initial climb the engine suddenly lost power and he was forced to land in unsuitable terrain. He further reported that he had been practicing touch and go landings. An on scene investigation by the FAA inspector revealed that the airplane had struck trees following the forced landing and damaged both wings. The inspector reported that the left wing lost all contained fuel due to impact damage, however, the right wing retained all fuel. There was evidence of fuel spillage on the ground below the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9337M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9337M-1994-01-28), registration cancelled 1994-01-28, S/N 1269 (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: 1269
- Airframe hours: 4571
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dawson, Charles
- Registered owner: Dawson, Charles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1992, 72 hours before
- Departed: 9F9
- Airport: 9F9, Sycamore, runway 17, 3,950 × 32 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 972 total, 735 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19930403007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930403007869A), Apr 3, 1993: Mooney M20E, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff,landing struck trees. Dirt in fuel. Boost pump weak,numerous engine defects. Poor maintenance

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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