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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 20, 2000 · Mooney M20C · N9187V

Middletown, RI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2000
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Middletown, RI
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N9187V
Operator
Chris J Drago
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC00LA117

The pilot reported that he preflighted the airplane, which included draining the fuel tanks prior to departure. During departure, when the airplane was about 80 to 100 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a power loss. Due to trees off the departure end of the runway, the pilot initiated a right turn to land on another runway and remain on airport. The airplane contacted the ground in a right bank. Examination of the airplane revealed water in the fuel tanks, the fuel line leading to the carburetor, and in the carburetor bowl. The pilot reported that he drained the fuel tanks with a plastic cup that came with the airplane. He further added, 'he did not drain enough fuel' [to detect the water].

NTSB Probable Cause

an inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot which did not detect the water in the fuel tanks prior to departure.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2000, about 1715 Eastern Standard Time, a Mooney M20C, N9187V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Newport State Airport, Middletown, Rhode Island. The certificated commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a written statement from the pilot: "...preflighted aircraft, sumped tanks, pulled center drain, checked oil, removed covers and tie downs. Engine started normal, run up normal, back taxied to runway 16, line up on center line, boost pump on...Full power normal acceleration, rotated around 60-65. At 80 to 100 feet, engine quit, landed in field along side runway 22...." According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, when the power loss occurred, the landing gear was still extended. The pilot elected to land on airport rather than fly into trees beyond the departure end of the runway. A turn to the right was initiated towards Runway 22; however, ground contact was made prior to reaching a wings level attitude. The airplane came to rest abeam of the departure end of the runway. The outboard 2 feet of the right wing was bent up 45 degrees, the fuselage was twisted, the left landing gear had penetrated the wing vertically, the right landing gear was bent aft, and the engine had been pushed back into the fuselage. The pilot reported the takeoff was made with the fuel selector on the left tank. According to a report from a FAA inspector: "...During the investigation the fuel sumped from the left tank contained approximately 30% water, the carburetor bowl contained approximately 95% water, and the [fuel] line to the carburetor contained approximately 75% water." According to the pilot, the airplane had last been refueled on February 5, 2000. He estimated the fuel tanks were about 3/4 full for each tank. He believed the airplane had not flown in the two weeks preceding the accident. When asked why he did not detect the water in the fuel during pre-flight, the pilot reported that he used a small plastic cup that came with the airplane to drain the sumps. The cup only held a few ounces of fuel. He further added that, "he did not drain enough fuel" [to detect the water].

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportNewport State Airport (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length2623 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN9187V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorChris J Drago
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data