# NTSB NYC07CA080: Mooney M20F, N3278F, Landenberg, PA, February 28, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 28, 2007, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Landenberg, PA
- Coordinates: 39.806945, -75.768058
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8069&lon=-75.7681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA080

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and subsequent forced landing to a field.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot of the Mooney M20F departed on a local flight.  Approximately 30 to 35 minutes after takeoff, the airplane's engine began to sputter, which was followed by a total loss of power.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and airframe during an ensuing forced landing to a field.  Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were intact, however, they contained no fuel.  The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane and attributed the loss of engine power to fuel exhaustion.  He reported 2,065 hours of total flight experience, which included approximately 292 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Mooney M20F departed on a local flight.  Approximately 30 to 35 minutes after takeoff, the airplane's engine began to sputter, which was followed by a total loss of power.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and airframe during an ensuing forced landing to a field.  Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were intact, however, they were absent of fuel.  The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane and attributed the loss of engine power to fuel exhaustion.  He reported 2,065 hours of total flight experience, which included approximately 292 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3278F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3278F-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 670371, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 679371
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph M. Glatts
- Registered owner: Dream Chaser Unlimited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006
- Departed: ILG, New Castle, DE
- Destination: ILG, New Castle, DE
- Airport: ILG, New Castle Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,065 total, 292 in this make and model, 1,861 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 12 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 20070228005099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070228005099A), Feb 28, 2007: Mooney M20F, Avondalen, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot cleaned snow and ice from the aircraft and performed the preflight inspection. He took off on rwy 32 (kilg) and departed to the west. The VFR…

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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