# NTSB LAX97LA282: Mooney M20K, N321RM, Lakeport, CA, August 8, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1997, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Lakeport, CA - Coordinates: 35.310749, -120.269943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3107&lon=-120.2699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29870/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA282 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to a tank containing fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation, and a forced landing shortly after takeoff. ## 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 - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The aircraft was in the shop to have the left fuel tank resealed. During the tank sealing procedure, all fuel was drained from the left tank. After the work was completed, the pilot/mechanic departed on a test flight to return the aircraft to service without refueling the left tank. The pilot stated he was positive the fuel selector was positioned for the right tank, which was nearly full. Engine start, taxi, run-up, and the takeoff were normal. During the initial climb, the engine lost power, and the pilot could not return to the runway. The aircraft was landed in a field, and it sustained substantial wing damage. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft. He reported that the left tank was completely empty and that abundant fuel was present in the right tank. The fuel line into the distributor manifold was loosened, and the electric fuel pump was energized; air came out of the line at first, followed by a steady stream of fuel. The line was then reconnected. Using the aircraft systems and right tank fuel, the engine was then started, and it operated satisfactorily. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1997, at 1115 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M-20K, N321RM, collided with the ground following a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb from the Lakeport, Californa, airport. The aircraft was on a test flight following completion of maintenance. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The commercial pilot/mechanic, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence. In a telephone interview, the pilot/mechanic stated that the aircraft was in the shop to have the left fuel tank resealed. During the procedure, all fuel was drained from the tank, and, none was put in before the test flight. After the work, the pilot/mechanic was departing on a test flight to return the aircraft to service. He stated he is positive the fuel selector was placed on the right tank, which was nearly full. Engine start, taxi, run-up, and the takeoff were normal. In the initial climb, the engine lost power and he could not return to the runway. The aircraft landed in a field and sustained substantial wing damage. He stated his belief that the fuel selector may have been leaking air into the fuel lines from the left tank. An Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft. He reported that the left tank was completely empty and that abundant fuel was present in the right tank. The fuel line into the distributor manifold was loosened and the electric fuel pump energized; air came out of the line at first, followed by a steady stream of fuel. The line was then reconnected. Using the aircraft systems and right tank fuel, the engine was then started and ran satisfactorily. The pilot/mechanic declined to submit a written statement or complete a Safety Board Pilot/Operator Accident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N321RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N321RM), registered now, S/N 25-0230, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-0230 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-GB 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Lakeport Aerostyling & Repair - Registered owner: Ron L. Dona - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 1O2 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970808028249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970808028249A), Aug 8, 1997: Mooney M20K, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. On maintenance test flight lost power on climbout. Crashed. Fuel tank work. Air in system using full other tank. 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.