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NTSB Report

October 14, 2002 · Mooney M20B · N74530

Loa, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Loa, UT
Aircraft
Mooney M20B
Tail Number
N74530
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA006

The pilot said that the engine "just quit," and he suspected it was fuel related. He said he had moved his seat aft to retrieve something off the back seat. A recovery crew noted that the fuel shut-off valve, located under the pilot's seat, was between the "right" and "off" positions. The right wing tank was empty, as it had been ripped open by a rock, and approximately 10 to 11 gallons of fuel was drained out of the unbreached left wing tank. The pilot said he had recently purchased the airplane and had logged 21 hours of flight time, 19 of which he had logged in the 90 days prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent placement of the fuel selector position in the off position. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On October 14, 2002, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20B, N74530, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted rocks during a forced landing near Loa, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at 0745 mountain daylight time at Wayne Wonderland Airport, Loa, Utah, and was en route to Provo Municipal Airport, Provo, Utah. The pilot said that the engine "just quit," and he suspected it was fuel related. He said he had moved his seat aft to retrieve something off the back seat. A recovery crew noted that the fuel shut-off valve, located under the pilot's seat, was between the "right" and "off" positions. The right wing tank was empty, as it had been ripped open by a rock, and approximately 10 to 11 gallons of fuel was drained out of the unbreached left wing tank. The airplane sustained damage to the right wing aileron and front spar, and the ribs in both wings. The nose gear was folded aft, and the nose gear box was damaged. The pilot said he had recently purchased the airplane and had logged 21 hours of flight time, 19 of which he had logged in the 90 days prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest Airport20nm NNW
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20B
Tail NumberN74530
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-AID · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 18 C
Altimeter30.32 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data