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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 26, 2007 · Mooney M20E · N5875Q

Sarasota, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 2007
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Sarasota, FL
Aircraft
Mooney M20E
Tail Number
N5875Q
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA08LA032

After takeoff, the pilot climbed to about 300 feet, raised the landing gear and flaps, turned to a heading of 360 degrees, then turned off the fuel pump and verified that the fuel pressure was in the green arc. After 2 seconds the engine ran roughly. He turned the fuel pump back on and leveled the airplane at 400 to 500 feet. He declared an emergency, lowered the landing gear and, with the engine continuing to surge/barely run, he turned the airplane, banking about 50 to 60 degrees in an attempt to make runway 14. The airplane stalled and collided with the ground. Examination of the engine found a large amount of granular debris clogging the fuel servo filter.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel filter.

Full Narrative

On December 26, 2007, at 1250 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20E, N5875Q, registered to Rime Development LLC, operated by a commercial pilot, collided with the ground following a loss of engine power during take off at the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Sarasota, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that following the preflight check, and during his taxi, he performed an engine magneto check, cycled propeller, set trim for takeoff, turned on fuel pump and checked control movements. When given clearance for takeoff on runway 32, the pilot estimated that the airplane had been running for about 10 minutes with no discrepancies noted. After takeoff, he climbed to about 300 feet, raised the landing gear and flaps, turned to a heading of 360 degrees and turned off the fuel pump and verified that the fuel pressure was in the green arc. After 2 seconds the engine ran roughly. He turned the fuel pump back on, leveled the airplane which he estimated to be 400 to 500 feet. He declared an emergency, lowered the landing gear, and felt that his best option was to turn to land on runway 14. The engine continued to surge/barely run. He turned the airplane, banking about 50 to 60 degrees in an attempt to make runway 14. He did not hear the stall horn. He experienced a loss of airspeed while continuing to turn until the left wing contacted the ground. Examination of the airplane by the FAA on site, found 6 and one half quarts of oil remaining in the crankcase. Fuel was present at the fuel servo inlet line. Both propeller blades had equal contact damage. The starter bendix was engaged on the ring gear. The engine could be rotated and continuity was verified with the engine accessory gears. Damage to the airplane consisted of the left wing, engine firewall, and airframe structure. On April 16, 2008, at a recovery facility in Griffin, Georgia, the engine was further examined by the National Transportation Safety Board. Examination of the engine found that the engine rotated freely and had continuity through the accessory section. Examination of the servo fuel injector found a large amount of granular debris clogging the fuel servo filter. The fuel selector/gascolator filter was clean. Inspection of the engine driven fuel pump found a small amount of granular debris similar to that observed in the fuel servo filter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 EST
Nearest AirportSarasota/Bradenton Intl (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length9500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20E
Tail NumberN5875Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data