# NTSB NYC83LA251: Mooney M20J, N25XX, Erie, PA, September 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1983, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Erie, PA
- Location: 42.0831° N, 80.1739° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ERIE INTL/TOM RIDGE FLD (ERI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0831&lon=-80.1739&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA251

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 50 FT AGL AFTER THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HIS ONLY SAFE REACTION WAS TO LAND WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED ON 'WHAT LITTLE RWY WAS LEFT.' WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR & RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED WITH 51 GAL OF FUEL AT THE ERIE ARPT & WAS FILLED, RIGHT TANK 1ST. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD USED BOTH TANKS ON THE FLT TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE TAKING OFF ON THIS FLT, HE WAS USING THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25XX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25XX), registered now, S/N 24-0826, 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: 24-08266
- Airframe hours: 766
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Gorr, Jr., D. Dunham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1983, 116 hours before
- Departed: ERI, ERIE, PA
- Destination: 3G2, WASHINGTON, PA
- Airport: ERI, Erie, runway 20, 3,532 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,387 total, 265 in this make and model, 1,369 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830919050149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830919050149A), Sep 19, 1983: Mooney M20J, Erie, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on liftoff. Belly landed on runway. Water in fuel from sitting out in heavy rains.

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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