# NTSB MIA90LA065: Mooney M-20K-231, N1173E, Winter Haven, FL, February 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1990, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 27.970603, -81.889305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9706&lon=-81.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO PROPERLY PRE-FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE AND ASSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY WAS ONBOARD TO COMPLETE THE INTENDED FLIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT DID NOT VISUALLY CONFIRM THE FUEL QUANTITY ON THE AIRPLANE DURING PREFLIGHT. ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THERE WERE ABOUT 17 GALLONS ON THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1173E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1173E-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 25-0723, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20K-231
- 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: 25-0723
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles V. Mcadam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Destination: GIF, WINTERHAVEN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,766 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 13 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 19900203001519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900203001519A), Feb 3, 1990: Mooney M20K, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Crash landed in an orange grove. Failed to ascertain visually enough fuel for flight.

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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