# NTSB LAX85LA316: Mooney M-20-E, N6891U, Los Banos, CA, July 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1985, 17:40 local (Jul 15, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Los Banos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.069519, -120.840431 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0695&lon=-120.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA316

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - landed at wrong airport - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - submerged object

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT EMBANKMENT DURING THE LANDING ROLL AFTER COMPLETING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 5 MILES SO. OF LOS BANOS ARPT, LOS BANOS, CA. THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING HARRIS-ARGO WEST ARPT (5CA7), THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED BOTH WING FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAN 1 GALLON OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. THE FUEL TANKS INTEGRITY WAS NOT COMPROMISED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD INTENDED TO REFUEL THE ACFT AT 5CA7, BUT UPON ARRIVAL HE WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL SERVICE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE AIM AND AOPA ARPT DIRECTORIES INDICATE THAT FUEL SERVICE AT 5CA7 WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6891U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6891U-1995-03-29), registration cancelled 1995-03-29, S/N 182 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20-E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182
- Airframe hours: 1979
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip Mcmanamy/Lynn Benton, doing business as California Airways Flying Club
- Registered owner: Jeffrey R. Kurtock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1985, 37 hours before
- Departed: 5CA7, FIVE POINTS, CA
- Destination: LSN, LOS BANOS, CA
- Airport: LSN, Los Banos Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 28 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 19850714049949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850714049949A), Jul 14, 1985: Mooney M20E, Los Banos, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot estimated fuel before takeoff from airport without services. Ran out of fuel. Struck embankment in a field.

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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