# NTSB MIA84LA088: Mooney M-20F, N3455X, Defuniak Spring, FL, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1984, 17:33 local (23:33 UTC)
- Place: Defuniak Spring, FL
- Coordinates: 30.85025, -86.199401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8502&lon=-86.1994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - delayed, pilot in command
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING AT 3000 FT, THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT RUNNING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE TRIED ALL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, WHICH INCLUDED CHANGING THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION. HE EXTENDED THE GEAR TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, BUT SAW AN OVERPASS AHEAD, SO HE RETRACTED THE GEAR TO CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTION. AFTER CLEARING THE OVERPASS, HE DID NOT HAD INSUFFICIENT TIME TO REEXTEND THE GEAR. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A WHEELS-UP LANDING. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY & THE LEFT TANK WAS FULL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3455X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3455X-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 67-0033, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670033
- Airframe hours: 2593
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wrede, Burton
- Registered owner: Wrede, Burton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 11, 1983
- Departed: FPR, FT. PIERCE, FL
- Destination: EST, ALEXANDRIA, LA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 567 total, 549 in this make and model, 521 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 249 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 19840220003979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840220003979A), Feb 20, 1984: Mooney M20F, Defuniak Spring, FL, Substantial damage. Collided with the ground after the engine quit due to fuel starvation. Fuel selector on empty tank. Other was full.

## Other investigations on N3455X (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 ATL97FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97FA115), Aug 11, 1997: Mooney M20F (N3455X), Tallahassee, FL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: fatigue failure of the crankshaft for undetermined reasons. Related factors were: darkness, and obstructions (trees) in the emergency landing area.

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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