# NTSB MIA93LA107: Mooney M20E, N7985Q, Starkville, MS, April 21, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1993, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Starkville, MS
- Coordinates: 33.449951, -88.820678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4500&lon=-88.8207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA107

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING AND IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES AND TERRAIN.

## 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,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ATP PILOT WAS IN VFR CRUISE FLIGHT AT 6,500 FEET AGL WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PILOT RECEIVED A SERIOUS INJURY. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR 3 HOURS 40 MINUTES, AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS BY THE FAA REVEALED ABOUT 23 TO 25 OUNCES OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7985Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7985Q-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 514 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0514
- Airframe hours: 1939
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mc Cann, William H.
- Registered owner: Mc Cann, William H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: 2RO, WAYNESBORO, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTR, 25 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 19930421009769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930421009769A), Apr 21, 1993: Mooney M20E, Starkville, MS, Substantial damage. Low on fuel diverted to near airport but ran out on final. Blamed inaccurate fuel gauges.

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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