# NTSB LAX92FA094: Mooney M-20-C, N6481U, Santa Monica, CA, January 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1992, 17:10 local (Jan 19, 1992, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Santa Monica, CA
- Coordinates: 34.009311, -118.460945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0093&lon=-118.4609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA094

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION BY WATER DUE TO THE; 1) FAILURE OF THE FUEL CAPS TO PROPERLY SEAL AGAINST WATER INGESTION, 2) THE PILOTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT SUFFICIENT TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL TANKS.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INADEQUATE FUEL CAP/WELL DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THE PILOTS REDUCED ABILITY TO VISUALLY SEE AND AVOID THE POWER POLE DUE TO THE PREVAILING LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,cap - leak (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - not engaged (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area

## Analysis

THE 107 HR PVT PLT & PSGR DEPD THE ARPT FOR AN UNKNOWN DESTN. THE RECENTLY PURCHASED ACFT HADN'T FLOWN FOR SVRL MONTHS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE & 5.5' OF RAIN HAD FALLEN IN THE LAST 41 DAYS. THE ACFT WAS REFUELED IMMEDIATELY BFR DEPG & THE FUELER SAID THE PLT SAT INSIDE THE ACFT DRG REFUELING, READING A MAP. THE REFUELER DIDN'T SEE THE PLT MAKE A PREFLT INSPN. HE ALSO NOTED THE ACFT WAS VERY DIRTY. THE FUEL FILLER CAPS WERE OF THE THERMOS CAP STYLE, RECESSED INTO WELLS IN THE WING SFC. FAA SDR'S NOTED 20 INSTANCES OF WATER CONTAMINATION OF FUEL IN THIS MODEL ACFT DRG A PERIOD FROM 1/1/86 TO 9/10/92. OF THE 20 RPRTD INSTANCES, 4 WERE ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKAGE THRU LOOSE FUEL CAPS. DRG THE TAKEOFF & INITIAL CLIMB, THE PLT STATED TO THE TWR THAT 'MY ENGINE KEEPS CUTTING IN AND OUT.' HE WAS CLRD TO LND ON ANY RWY. THE PLT COMPLETED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TWD THE RWY & THE ACFT HIT A PWR POLE OFF THE END & BELOW THE RWY SFC. THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY A POST-CRASH FIRE. NO MECH MALFUNCTION/FAILURE WAS FND. SUNSET WAS AT 1712 PST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6481U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6481U-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 2228, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20-C
- 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: 2228
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffrey R. Wirgler
- Registered owner: Jeffrey R. Wirgler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1991
- Airport: SMO, Santa Monica Muni, runway 21, 4,987 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 107 total, 4 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMO, 1 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 19920118002549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920118002549A), Jan 18, 1992: Mooney M20C, Santa Monica, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported rough engine after takeoff. Tried to return. Hit powerpole and crashed. Possible water or carb ice. Factor

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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