# NTSB MIA86FA034: Mooney M20J, N201QN, Sarasota, FL, November 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1985, 16:31 local (21:31 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Coordinates: 27.359045, -82.320648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3590&lon=-82.3206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA034

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A TOUCH AND GO LANDING THE AIRCRAFTS ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT COMPLETELY. AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A RIGHT BANK NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFTS ENGINE REVEALED THE ENGINES FUEL SYSTEM TO BE COMPLETLY FILLED WITH WATER. ADDITIONALLY IT WAS LEARNED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD SAT FOR THREE MONTHES PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT WITH APPR0XMATELY HALF FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL SUMP DRAINS IN THE AIRCRAFTS WINGS WERE FOUND RUSTED CLOSED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,drain - not dumped (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201QN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201QN-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 240350 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0350
- Airframe hours: 790
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: 61X, SARASOTA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 24,600 total, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 16 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 19851124057819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851124057819A), Nov 24, 1985: Mooney M20J, Sarasota, FL, Destroyed. Engine quit during go around. Struck trees and ground. Water in fuel system. Tank sump drains rusted closed.

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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