# NTSB LAX86LA121: Mooney MK-20, N8135E, Phoenix, AZ, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 12:26 local (20:26 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.679172, -112.089462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6792&lon=-112.0895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - fuel system - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A MOONEY MK 20 COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY SURFACE AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE FAILED ON CLIMB AT ABOUT 1500 FEET AGL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED DOWNWIND. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SUSPECTED FUEL STARVATION AS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE AND REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT HAD APPROXIMATELY 23 GALLONS OF FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THERE WAS FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT FUEL TANK, AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND AUXILLARY TANK WERE EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND FUEL PUMP WERE WERE TEST STAND OPERATED AND FOUND TO BE NORMAL. THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL BOOST PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR WAS SHEARED ON IMPACT AND IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED IF FUEL WAS BEING SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8135E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8135E-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1406, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY MK-20
- 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: 1406
- Airframe hours: 1833
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William T. Catching
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1985, 21 hours before
- Airport: DVT, Deer Valley Muniu, runway 7R, 5,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 501 total, 54 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT

## 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 19860220070489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220070489A), Feb 20, 1986: Mooney M20A, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Stall landed to force gear up through wings after engine quit. Fuel selector was on empty right rank.

## Other investigations on N8135E (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 DEN65D0083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65D0083), May 11, 1965: Mooney 20A (N8135E), Safford, AZ, substantial damage

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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