# NTSB NYC04LA163: Mooney M20J, N302SB, Hackettstown, NJ, July 11, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 2004, 07:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Hackettstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.819999, -74.855003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8200&lon=-74.8550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lycoming Engines, FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59613/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=59613 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, during the initial climb after takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - residence - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During the initial climb after takeoff, about 100 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The airplane struck the rooftop of a residence, and came to rest in trees, about 200 feet from the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions; however, water was observed in the engine driven fuel pump, flow divider and gascolator. The airplane was equipped with sump drains at the lowest point in each tank. A drain valve was also installed in the fuel selector valve assembly. Additionally, the airplane information manual, normal procedures, pre-flight inspection section contained procedures to check for, and remove "sediment contamination and condensed water accumulation." The airplane was last refueled and flown the day before the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 2004, about 0700 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N302SB, was substantially damaged when it struck a residence and trees during a forced landing after takeoff from Hackettstown Airport (N05), Hackettstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for Lawrence Municipal Airport, Lawrence, Massachusetts. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he performed a "complete pre-flight inspection and run-up" prior to departing from runway 23, a 2,200-foot-long, asphalt, runway. The airplane was about 100 feet above the ground, when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The airplane struck the rooftop of a residence, and came to rest in trees, about 200 feet from the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Compression was attained on all cylinders. Valve train continuity was observed, and crankshaft rotation was verified. When rotated by hand, the single drive dual magneto produced spark at all lead ends. The top spark plugs were removed for inspection. Their electrodes were intact, and were light gray in color. The engine driven fuel pump was removed and observed to operate. During the actuation of the fuel pump by hand, water was expelled from the fuel outlet port. When the fuel flow divider diaphragm and cover were removed, water was observed. Approximately, 6 ounces of water was recovered from the gascolator. The airplane was last refueled and flown the day before the accident. The airplane was equipped with sump drains at the lowest point in each fuel tank. A drain valve was also installed in the fuel selector valve assembly for draining the lowest point in the fuel lines. Additionally, the airplane information manual, normal procedures, pre-flight inspection section contained procedures to check for, and remove "sediment contamination and condensed water accumulation." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N302SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302SB-2006-02-28), registration cancelled 2006-02-28, S/N 24-0933, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0933 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Sheppard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: N05, Hackettstown, NJ - Destination: LWM, Lawrence, MA - Airport: N05, Hackettstown, runway 23, 2,200 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 21, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 656 total, 110 in this make and model, 547 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: SMQ, 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 20040711018919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040711018919A), Jul 11, 2004: Mooney M20J, Hacketts Town, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine failed on takeoff from runway 23 at hackettstown, NJ, airport (N05). Investigation revealed water in engine fuel system. Aircraft sustained… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=59613. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 349 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - NTSB Party Form (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Form-Master.PDF - Airplane Information Manual (excerpts) (item 3, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Information%20Manual%20(excerpts)-Master.PDF - Fuel Logs (item 4, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40222548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Logs-Master.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 5, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Airplane as it came to rest. (item 6, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40222550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest.-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2: Fuel samples. (item 7, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40222551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%3A%20Fuel%20samples.-Master.PDF 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.