# NTSB WPR17LA011: Mooney M20J, N201EU, Coalinga, CA, October 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 22, 2016, 18:00 local (Oct 23, 2016, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Coalinga, CA - Coordinates: 36.2425, -120.217781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2425&lon=-120.2178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94262/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94262 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA011 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a local flight when the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot stated that he switched the fuel selector from the right to the left tank, applied full throttle, set the mixture control to full rich, and extended the wing flaps. The engine seemed to continue running during the forced landing. The airplane impacted a stand of almond trees and came to rest in a nose-down attitude about 1 1/2 miles from the destination. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and stated that there was enough fuel to get to the destination, "but not all in the tank that was being drawn from." A postaccident examination revealed that the right wing tank, which was undamaged, was void of any usable fuel; about 4 ounces of fuel was drained from the tank. Also, there was no evidence of a fuel leak from either wing tank. The fuel selector was observed positioned to draw fuel from the left tank, which contained about 7 gallons of fuel. Further examination revealed that the fuel control unit's inlet finger strainer was clean and free of obstructions. Additionally, the fuel supply line contained a small amount of clean, blue-colored fuel when disconnected. No water or particulate contaminates were detected in the fuel system. A postaccident engine run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The partial loss of engine power was likely due to the pilot's improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine after all of the usable fuel in the right wing tank had been consumed. ## Factual narrative On October 22, 2016, about 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J airplane, N201EU, was substantially damaged following a forced landing due to a partial loss of engine power near Coalinga, California. The private pilot, who was the registered owner of the airplane, and his sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Hanford Municipal Airport (HJO), Hanford, California, about 1740, with a reported destination as Harris Ranch airstrip (3O8), located about 8 nautical miles (nm) northeast of Coalinga. In a report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that while on approach to 3O8 and about 8 nm [southeast] of the airstrip, the engine "hiccupped," then about 15 seconds later it began running rough and producing no power. The pilot stated that he then switched fuel tanks from the right tank to the left tank, and selected wide open throttle, mixture full rich, and added flaps to help with glide performance. In order to avoid high tension power lines, the pilot had to climb over them, which reduced both glide performance and airspeed. The airplane subsequently impacted a stand of almond trees, coming to rest in a nose down attitude on the ground. The pilot added that the engine appeared to be running until impact. Additionally, the pilot provided the following comment in the RECOMMENDATION section of the report: "We had enough fuel to get to our destination, but not all in the tank that was being drawn from. Better scan of the fuel flow would have helped prevent this accident." An onsite postaccident examination of the airplane, which was performed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors on the morning following the accident, revealed that the airplane had come to rest in a tree orchard about one and one-half miles east of 3O8. A visual inspection revealed that there were no signs of fuel leakage on the ground, nor were there any fuel stains on the exterior surfaces of the airplane. The fuel system was observed to be completely intact and undamaged, with both wing tanks and strainer free of contaminates. The fuel selector was found pointed to the left tank position. Investigators reported that when the right wing tip was slightly raised, and the fuel selector positioned to the right tank position, about 4 ounces of clean blue colored gasoline was observed drained into a clean glass container. Subsequently, the left fuel tank sump was drained completely of its contents, which yielded about 7 gallons of clean blue colored gasoline; the flow divider contained a trace of gasoline. Further examination revealed that the fuel control unit's inlet finger strainer was observed to be clean, free flowing, and free of obstructions. Additionally, the fuelsupply line dribbled a spoonful of clean blue colored gasoline when disconnected. No water or particulate contaminates were detected in the fuel system. On November 3, 2016, under the supervision of the NTSB IIC and FAA inspectors, a test run of the engine was performed at the facilities of Valley Air Crafts, Tulare, California. The results of the test run revealed normal engine priming with the boost pump, normal starting, and normal operation when supplied with adequate fuel. Idle speed, idle mixture magneto checks and run up to maximum power were smooth and normal with an exemplar propeller installed. There were no anomalies detected with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201EU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201EU-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 24-0164, built 1977 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0164 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3453.4 - Engines: Lycoming IO360 200 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2016, 53 hours before - Departed: HJO, Hanford, CA - Destination: 3O8, Coalinga, CA - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 986 total, 42 in this make and model, 928 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KHJO, 33 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 20161022024889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161022024889A), Oct 22, 2016: Mooney M20J, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. At approximately 1800 PST (dusk), October 22, 2016, N201EU was reported by the PIC to be just beginning a VFR decent and approach for landing at the Coalinga… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94262. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Engine Run Report (item 3, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Run%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.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.