# NTSB MIA98LA227: Mooney M-20F, N6411Q, Rockhill, SC, August 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1998, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Rockhill, SC - Coordinates: 34.930759, -81.019203 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9308&lon=-81.0192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43699/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA227 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot flew to three airports without refueling. While in cruise flight to his destination airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He switched fuel tanks, the engine restarted, he climbed to higher altitude, and the engine quit again. A forced landing was made to a soybean field. On landing rollout, the airplane collided with an embankment. Visual examination of the fuel tanks revealed no fuel. Fuel was added to the airplane after recovery. The engine started and developed power. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1998, about 1510 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M-20F, N6411Q, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a total loss of engine power in cruise flight in the vicinity of Rockhill, South Carolina. The pilot crashed during a forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, about 1 hour 25 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he initially departed from Asheville, North Carolina, (AVL) with 20 gallons of fuel in the left and right fuel tank. He flew to Monroe, North Carolina, (EQY) and Atlanta, Georgia, (PDK). No fuel was added to the airplane. He departed PDK enroute to EQY. He was in cruise flight when he experienced a total loss of engine power. He was on the left fuel tank which indicated about 1/8 tank of fuel. He switched the fuel tank to the right fuel tank which indicated about 1/4 tank of fuel and initiated a climb. The engine ran about 4 to 5 minutes before the engine quit. He switched the fuel tank back to the left fuel tank with negative results. He made a forced landing to a soybean field, and collided with an embankment on landing rollout. Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. The fuel lines and systems were checked for evidence of leakage or defects, and none was detected. The surrounding area was checked for leakage and none was found. Fuel was added to the left and right fuel tanks. The engine was started and developed power. (For additional information see FAA inspector statement). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6411Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6411Q-1998-10-15), registration cancelled 1998-10-15, S/N 670490 (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: 670490 - Airframe hours: 3323 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard V. Edney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1997, 264 hours before - Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA - Destination: EQY, MONROE, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 629 total, 536 in this make and model, 536 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AND ## 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 19980816037929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980816037929A), Aug 16, 1998: Mooney M20F, Rockhill, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 16, 1998, about 1510 EST a Mooney 20-F, N6411Q made a forced landing in a soy bean field and came to rest on an embankment extending its… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.