# NTSB LAX03LA029: Mooney M20J, N1072N, Fullerton, CA, November 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 2002, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Fullerton, CA - Coordinates: 33.866664, -117.966667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8667&lon=-117.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 56051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56051/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56051 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection resulting in a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,tank - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot made a forced, gear up landing after losing engine power on takeoff. The right wing contacted the ground and the airplane landed hard on its belly. Postaccident inspection of the fuel system revealed that the right fuel tank was contaminated with approximately 32 ounces of water. Water was also found in the fuel distributor valve. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight check that included checking the fuel. He noted no discrepancies with the fuel or fuel system. The pilot departed with the fuel selector positioned on the right tank. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2002, at 1130 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20J, N1072N, experienced a loss of engine power during takeoff from runway 24, and executed a forced landing in an open field near the Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL), Fullerton, California. The airplane was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was scheduled to terminate at the Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM), San Diego, California. According to the pilot's written statement, there were no discrepancies noted with the takeoff roll. During the climb out, he retracted the landing gear. As the landing gear came up, the engine "started to die." The pilot stated that there was not enough runway left to land on, so he aimed the airplane for a level field west of the departure end of the runway. The pilot indicated that as the airplane crossed over a fence and road he had to bank slightly to the right to keep from hitting the "understructure" for the runway lights on the airport. The right wing hit the ground first, and the airplane came to rest on its belly. In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he had completed a preflight check prior to takeoff, which included checking the fuel. The pilot noted no discrepancies with the fuel or fuel system. According to the pilot, the last time the airplane was flown and refueled was approximately 1 week prior to the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane on scene. He found that the right fuel tank was full, and the left fuel tank held about 26 gallons. The fuel selector valve was observed in the off position. The inspector stated that he drained about 32 ounces of water from the right fuel tank sump. The fuel drained from the left fuel tank sump appeared blue in color with no trace of water contamination. He further indicated that water was found in the fuel distribution valve. The FAA inspector interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated he had selected the right fuel tank, the fullest tank, for takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1072N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1072N), registered now, S/N 24-1125, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1145 - Airframe hours: 3252 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don G. Stephens - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 2002, 76 hours before - Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA - Destination: SDM, San Diego, CA - Airport: FUL, Fullerton Municipal, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 13, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,075 total, 1,944 in this make and model, 1,825 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: FUL ## 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 20021111032169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021111032169A), Nov 11, 2002: Mooney M20J, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot departed Fullerton Municipal (ful) with a destination of brown field (sdm). The pilot stated that everything was normal during departure until… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56051. 382 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450484&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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.