# NTSB FTW99LA254: Mooney M20D, N5586Q, Edna, TX, September 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1999, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Edna, TX - Coordinates: 28.969383, -96.639122 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9694&lon=-96.6391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA254 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for 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, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis 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.' ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5586Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5586Q-2000-11-02), registration cancelled 2000-11-02, S/N 257 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20D - Registry model: [Mooney M20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20d) (registry code 5870210) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 257 - Airframe hours: 3275 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary A. Petri - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1998 - Departed: BPK, MOUNTAIN HOME, AR - Destination: 26R ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,175 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19990909030759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990909030759A), Sep 9, 1999: Mooney M20D, Edna, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot did not flight plan for proper fuel burn. Mr. Petri stated that he "ran out of gas." (.4) on September 9, 1999, approximately 1150 central… 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.