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NTSB Report

November 3, 1997 · Mooney M20C · N1360W

Ozona, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ozona, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N1360W
Operator
Glen Pruet
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA042

During a return flight from McKinney to Ozona, TX, the aircraft's engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot had flown the aircraft for 2.4 hours on the flight from Ozona to McKinney on the day before the accident. On the day of the accident, the pilot found that there was no fuel available at the departure airport, therefore he had planned a fuel stop at Abilene, TX. During cruise flight and 'after not encountering anticipated quartering head winds,' the pilot calculated that the time of flight direct to Ozona would be 2.5 hours. He then made the decision to 'continue direct to Ozona.' Approximately 20 miles northeast of Ozona, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a pasture, and during the landing roll, the wings impacted some 'scrubby' trees. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he had 'run out of fuel.' The pilot also reported that he had flown the same route of flight before without refueling; however, the airplane's engine had been changed, and he had not anticipated the higher fuel burn rate.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On November 3, 1997, at 1335 central standard time, a Mooney M20C airplane, N1360W, owned and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Ozona, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight had originated from McKinney, Texas, about 1115, on a flight to Ozona, with an intended fuel stop at Abilene, Texas. On the enclosed NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report the pilot reported that the day before the accident he had flown the aircraft for 2.4 hours on a flight from Ozona to the Aero Country Airport at McKinney, Texas. On the day of the accident he found that there was no fuel available at the Aero Country Airport, therefore he had planned a fuel stop at Abilene, Texas, for his return flight to Ozona. During cruise flight, and "after not encountering anticipated quartering head winds," he calculated, using his Global Positioning System (GPS), that the time of flight direct to Ozona would be 2.5 hours. He then made the decision to "continue direct to Ozona." The pilot further reported that approximately 20 miles northeast of Ozona the "engine started running rough and died, left tank gauge [left fuel tank was selected] indicated most fuel but pilot [he] switched on electric fuel pump, changed tanks and restarted engine." After terminating flight following with Houston Center and contacting "Ozona unicom for field and runway conditions and fuel situation, engine again started running rough and quit." He initiated a forced landing to a pasture, and during the landing roll, the wings impacted some "scrubby" trees. The pilot also reported that the "past history of this engine, plane and pilot as PIC has been to burn 8 GPH low to 9.2 GPH high with multiple T/O [takeoff] and Ldgs [landings]." However, the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report shows that the airplane's engine had been overhauled 21.6 hours prior to the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he had "run out of fuel." The pilot further reported that he had flown the same route of flight before without refueling; however, the airplane's engine had been changed and he had not anticipated the higher fuel burn rate. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the right wing spar, and the fuselage was buckled. Examination of the airplane's fuel tanks revealed no usable fuel. The FAA inspector did not observe any evidence of a fuel spill.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:35 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN1360W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGlen Pruet
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data