# NTSB MIA88LA237: Mooney M-20E, N9369M, Punta Gorda, FL, July 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1988, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.890979, -82.050727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8910&lon=-82.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA237

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE KEPT HIS ACFT OUTDOORS & HE HAD NOT FLOWN IT FOR 7 DAYS. HE STATED HE HAD NOT REFUELED THE ACFT AFTER THE LAST FLT & HAD PARKED IT WITH 1/2 TANKS. FSS PERSONNEL STATED THERE HAD BEEN RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA DURING THAT TIME. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING PRE-FLT INSP, SUMPS WERE DRAINED & NO FOREIGN MATTER WAS FOUND. FLT DEPARTED FOR PUNTA GORDA WHERE ACFT WAS TOPPED OFF BY FUEL TRUCK. PRE-FLT INSP REVEALED PRESENCE OF WATER IN RIGHT SUMP DRAIN. THE SUMPS WERE DRAINED AGAIN UNTIL THE PLT FELT ALL WATER HAD BEEN REMOVED. AFTER DEPARTURE AT 800 FT, THE ENG QUIT & A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN AN ORANGE GROVE. EXAM OF TRUCK REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINANTS. SOME WATER WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT'S RIGHT FUEL SUMP. PLT STATED HE ONLY HAD USED FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK. DURING A POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE FUEL SYS WATER AND DIRT WERE FOUND IN THE IDLE CUTOFF VALVE AND THE DIAPHRAGM. THE DIAPHRAGM HAD CONGEALED OIL ON IT ALSO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9369M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9369M-1991-05-01), registration cancelled 1991-05-01, S/N 1301 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1301
- Airframe hours: 1825
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary E. Kruse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1988, 22 hours before
- Departed: PGD
- Destination: XO-6, ARCADIA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 14 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 23 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 19880726059449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880726059449A), Jul 26, 1988: Mooney M20E, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Made forced landing in an orange grove. Found water in fuel.

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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