# NTSB MKC89LA173: Mooney M20C, N6249U, Fouke, AR, August 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1989, 21:00 local (Aug 1, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Fouke, AR
- Coordinates: 33.259815, -93.879859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2598&lon=-93.8799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, AT NIGHT. THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A FENCEPOST, GROUND SWERVE, AND COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## 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 (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence post
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTING HIS LAST STOP, HE WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE FUEL AS THE ARPT WAS UNATTENDED AT THE TIME. CONTINUING ON WITHOUT REFUELING, THE ENGINE QUIT ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED, DURING A DARK NIGHT, AND THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE, THEN SPUN AROUND CAUSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR TO COLLAPSE. POST FLIGHT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS TO BE EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6249U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6249U-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 2088, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2088
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moore, Clinton H.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: RNV, CLEVELAND, MS
- Destination: TXK, TEXARKANA, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 513 total, 309 in this make and model, 423 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Observed at: TXK, 15 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 19890731029599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890731029599A), Jul 31, 1989: Mooney M20C, Fouke, AR, Substantial damage. Unable to obtain fuel,took off anyway at night, ran out of fuel 15 miles short of destination. Hit fence on landing

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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