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NTSB Report
February 20, 1986 · Mooney MK-20 · N8135E
Phoenix, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Mooney MK-20
Tail Number
N8135E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86LA121
A MOONEY MK 20 COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY SURFACE AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE FAILED ON CLIMB AT ABOUT 1500 FEET AGL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED DOWNWIND. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SUSPECTED FUEL STARVATION AS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE AND REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT HAD APPROXIMATELY 23 GALLONS OF FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THERE WAS FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT FUEL TANK, AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND AUXILLARY TANK WERE EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND FUEL PUMP WERE WERE TEST STAND OPERATED AND FOUND TO BE NORMAL. THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL BOOST PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR WAS SHEARED ON IMPACT AND IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED IF FUEL WAS BEING SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.
Full Narrative
A MOONEY MK 20 COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY SURFACE AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE FAILED ON CLIMB AT ABOUT 1500 FEET AGL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED DOWNWIND. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SUSPECTED FUEL STARVATION AS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE AND REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT HAD APPROXIMATELY 23 GALLONS OF FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THERE WAS FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT FUEL TANK, AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND AUXILLARY TANK WERE EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND FUEL PUMP WERE WERE TEST STAND OPERATED AND FOUND TO BE NORMAL. THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL BOOST PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR WAS SHEARED ON IMPACT AND IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED IF FUEL WAS BEING SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:26 MST
Nearest AirportDeer Valley Muniu (0nm N)
Runway7R
Runway Length5300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney MK-20
Tail NumberN8135E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:20
Weather SourceWFAC