# NTSB LAX86LA137: Mooney M-20C, N9694M, Roll, AZ, March 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1986, 23:00 local (Mar 10, 1986, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Roll, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.760803, -113.870384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7608&lon=-113.8704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT GILA BEND MUNICIPAL ARPT FOR FUEL. THE REFUELING FACILITIES WERE CLOSED AND THE DECISION WAS MADE TO PROCEED TO YUMA INT'L ARPT, ABOUT 113 MILES EAST OF GILA BEND ARPT. THE PLT HAD FLOWN THE ACFT FOR ABOUT 4 HRS AND 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR YUMA. ABOUT 40 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING THE ARPT THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENG PWR LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A DIRT STRIP. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN LONG, OVERSHOT THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A SAND BERM EAST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT LANDED TO THE EAST AND THE PREVAILING SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE WEST AT 15 TO 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9694M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9694M-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 670030, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 670030
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert D. Rens, Dds
- Registered owner: David O. Underwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985
- Departed: E63, GILA BEND, AZ
- Destination: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Airport: runway 8, 2,640 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 50 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19860309005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860309005839A), Mar 9, 1986: Mooney M20C, Roll, AZ, Substantial damage. Unable to get fuel, took off for yuma. Ran out of fuel. Overshot downwind landing on a Private strip,hit sand dune.

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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