# NTSB SEA82DA097: Mooney M20A, N8380E, Twin Falls, ID, June 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1982, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Twin Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.41027, -114.589782 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4103&lon=-114.5898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA097

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY FULL, BUT THE LEFT TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE LEFT TANK WAS SERVICED WITH 12 GALLONS OF FUEL, BUT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS INADVERTENTLY LEFT IN THE RIGHT TANK POSITION. THE ENTIRE FLIGHT WAS FLOWN WITHOUT REPOSITIONING THE FUEL SELECTOR. JUST PRIOR TO ENTERING A DOWNWIND FOR LANDING, THE ENGINE FALTERED. THE PILOT CYCLED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE REGAINED NORMAL POWER MOMENTARILY, THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE PILOT HEADED FOR THE NEAREST RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE THAT FAR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING IN A FIELD WITH TERRACES, ABOUT 700 FT FROM THE NEAREST RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8380E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8380E-1983-05-21), registration cancelled 1983-05-21, S/N 1558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1558
- Airframe hours: 2255
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harber Lazards
- Registered owner: Harber Lazards
- Departed: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID
- Destination: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID
- Airport: TWF, Joslin Field, runway 12, 3,207 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 242 total, 7 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF

## 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 19820627032479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820627032479A), Jun 27, 1982: Mooney M20A, Twin Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Selected fuel tank ran dry. Failed to select other tank with fuel. Crash landed on airport, between runways.

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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