# NTSB FTW99LA010: Mooney M20A, N6534B, Oklahoma City, OK, October 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 18, 1998, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Oklahoma City, OK - Location: 35.4676° N, 97.5164° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oklahoma City, OK, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4676&lon=-97.5164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45126/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA010 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as result of the pilot's improper placement of the fuel tank selector switch. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute the forced landing. ## 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 - downwind - checklist - not followed, pilot in command - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine lost power soon after departing from runway 35 at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet AGL. The pilot was aware during the preflight inspection that the left main fuel cell was 3/4 full and the right tank was very low on fuel. Prior to takeoff, the pilot inadvertently switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank. The pilot assumed that the engine had malfunctioned and did not switch the fuel selector to the fullest tank. The 400 hour pilot landed the airplane in an open pasture with the landing gear extended. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a terrace, collapsing the landing gear. According to local law enforcement personnel that responded to the accident site, the pilot reported that 'the airplane ran out of fuel;' however, the left main fuel cell was approximately 3/4 full. The pilot added that the 1959 vintage airplane was equipped with a single fuel gauge controlled by a two-position toggle switch for both fuel cells. ## Factual narrative On October 18, 1998, at 1000 central daylight time, a Mooney M20A airplane, N6534B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following the loss of engine power near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The instrument rated private pilot and her two passengers were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Sundance Airpark, near Yukon, Oklahoma, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that she checked the fuel tanks prior to takeoff and noted that the left fuel tank was 3/4 full and the right fuel tank was "very low." During takeoff; however, the pilot positioned the fuel selector on the right fuel tank. The engine lost power soon after departing from runway 35, while at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet AGL. The pilot added that she thought she had selected the fullest tank and "assumed there was an engine malfunction," so she did not switch the fuel selector to the left tank. The 400 hour pilot landed the airplane in an open pasture with the landing gear extended. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a terrace, collapsing the landing gear. In a telephonic interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that her total concentration after the loss of power was "to fly the airplane to a safe landing." According to local law enforcement personnel that responded to the accident site, the pilot reported that "the airplane ran out of fuel." Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main fuel cell was approximately 3/4 full. The pilot added that the 1959 vintage airplane was equipped with a single fuel gauge controlled by a two-position toggle switch which selects which fuel tank quantity is displayed. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector and the owner revealed that both wooden wings and the flaps sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6534B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6534B), registered now, S/N 1203 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20A - Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (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: 1203 - Airframe hours: 1396 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marianne C. Turner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1998 - Departed: HSD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 403 total, 30 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PWA, 1 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 19981018029539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981018029539A), Oct 18, 1998: Mooney M20A, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage. Acft experienced engine failure due to fuel starvation resulting in a emergency landing, acft struck a terrace in a pasture on landing.(.19) on October 18,… ## Other investigations on N6534B (1) 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 UNK64X3802](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3802), Sep 5, 1964: Mooney M20 (N6534B), Huron, SD, destroyed 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.