# NTSB WPR12CA166: Mooney M20B, N74518, Rosamond, CA, April 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2012, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Rosamond, CA - Coordinates: 34.866664, -118.199996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8667&lon=-118.2000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA166 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s selection of an empty fuel tank prior to departure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The engine lost power after takeoff and the pilot landed in a nearby field, where both wings collided with fence posts. The pilot reported that the left fuel tank was about 1/4 full and the right fuel tank was empty. He had the left fuel tank selected during start up and taxi. As he did his pre-takeoff engine run-up checks, he switched fuel tanks per his normal procedure but did not return the selector valve to the left tank prior to departure. Both wings sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative The engine lost power after takeoff, and the pilot landed in a nearby field. Both wings collided with fence posts. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the left fuel tank was about 1/4-full, and the right fuel tank was empty. He had the left fuel tank selected on start up and taxi. As he did his pretakeoff run up checks, he switched fuel tanks per his normal procedure. He did not return the selector valve to the left tank prior to departure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74518](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74518-2012-06-15), registration cancelled 2012-06-15, S/N 1829, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20B - Registry model: [Mooney M20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (registry code 5870206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1829 - Airframe hours: 3778 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Metzler Kevin W - Registered owner: Metzler Kevin W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2011 - Departed: L100, Rosamond, CA - Destination: L100, Rosamond, CA - Airport: L100, Rosamond, runway 26 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 667 total, 279 in this make and model, 667 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KWJF ## 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 20120415006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120415006159A), Apr 15, 2012: Mooney M20B, Rosamond, CA, Substantial damage. On 04/15/2012, 1405 PST. N74518, a Mooney M20-B experienced engine failure during take off climb out. A dead stick, gear up landing was performed into a vacant… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83403. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369412&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.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.