FTW99LA254

The airplane impacted the terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power during the cross country flight. The pilot diverted the flight toward the nearest airport; however, the airplane landed in a field approximately 3 miles south of the airport. During the pilot's preflight planning, fuel consumption was calculated at 8 gallons per hour with 45 gallons usable fuel. The pilot reported that the engine had recently been overhauled, and the 'fuel consumption was apparently greater than normal,' and he 'failed to account for this and ran out of fuel.'

On September 9, 1999, approximately 1150 central daylight time, a Mooney M20D, N5586Q, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Edna, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight departed Mountain Home, Arkansas, at 0710, with a planned destination of Port Lavaca, Texas.

The pilot reported, to the FAA inspector, and on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the airplane was refueled at the departure airport. Fuel consumption was calculated at 8 gallons per hour with 45 gallons usable fuel. En route at a flight altitude of 8,500 feet msl, the engine lost power. The pilot diverted the flight toward the Jackson County Airport at Edna, Texas. The airplane landed in a cotton field approximately 3 miles south of the airport. Upon seeing workers in the field, the pilot, who was concerned about stopping the airplane prior to the workers, turned the airplane perpendicular to the cotton furrows. During the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed.

The pilot reported that the engine had recently been overhauled; therefore, the "fuel consumption was apparently greater than normal." The pilot reported that he "failed to account for this and ran out of fuel 25 miles short of my destination."

The FAA inspector who examined the airplane did not find any fuel in the fuel tanks. The firewall, fuselage, right wing, and horizontal stabilizer were damaged. The right main gear was jammed into the bottom surface of the wing, the nose gear was folded into the airframe, and the left gear was broken at the axle. The right flap was loose at the bracket and was bent aft.