# NTSB NYC87LA144: Mooney M20F, N9374V, Caldwell, NJ, May 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1987, 19:18 local (23:18 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, NJ
- Location: 40.8392° N, 74.2770° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Caldwell, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8392&lon=-74.2770&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 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG A NGT TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF & THE PLT CHOSE AN AREA AWAY FROM BLDGS & OBSTRUCTIONS FOR AN EMERG LANDING. HOWEVER, DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE RGT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY & THE LEFT TANK HAD ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL REMAINING. THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS DAMAGED DRG THE ACDNT. AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, THE ENG OPERATED SATISFACTORILY DRG A TEST RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9374V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9374V-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 700015, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 700015
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Del Allison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: CDW, CALDWELL, NJ
- Airport: CDW, Essex County, runway 27, 3,721 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 698 total, 524 in this make and model, 648 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870509082489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870509082489A), May 9, 1987: Mooney M20F, Caldwell, NJ, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on climbout. Struck trees, shrubs and fencing on landing. Black smoke from engine not explained.

## Other investigations on N9374V (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK74FVM05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVM05), Aug 8, 1973: Mooney M20F (N9374V), Hollister, CA, substantial damage

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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