Mooney M20K N321RM
8 August 1997 · Lakeport, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 8 August 1997 at about 18:15 local time, a Mooney M20K registered N321RM, operated by Lakeport Aerostyling & Repair, was involved in an accident near Lakeport, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Lakeport, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.3107, -120.2699
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20K
- Registration
- N321RM
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Lakeport Aerostyling & Repair
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX97LA282
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to a tank containing fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation, and a forced landing shortly after takeoff.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The aircraft was in the shop to have the left fuel tank resealed. During the tank sealing procedure, all fuel was drained from the left tank. After the work was completed, the pilot/mechanic departed on a test flight to return the aircraft to service without refueling the left tank. The pilot stated he was positive the fuel selector was positioned for the right tank, which was nearly full. Engine start, taxi, run-up, and the takeoff were normal. During the initial climb, the engine lost power, and the pilot could not return to the runway. The aircraft was landed in a field, and it sustained substantial wing damage. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft. He reported that the left tank was completely empty and that abundant fuel was present in the right tank. The fuel line into the distributor manifold was loosened, and the electric fuel pump was energized; air came out of the line at first, followed by a steady stream of fuel. The line was then reconnected. Using the aircraft systems and right tank fuel, the engine was then started, and it operated satisfactorily.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mooney M20K accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jan 1997 | Mooney M20K | Van Nuys, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Oct 1997 | Mooney M20K | Emporia, Kansas, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 26 Oct 1997 | Mooney M20K | Ocean City, New Jersey, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Nov 1997 | Mooney M20K | Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 May 1997 | Mooney M20K | N Little Rock, Arkansas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Mar 1998 | Mooney M20K | Klamath Falls, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Aug 1997 | Airbus A300 B4-203 | Los Angeles, California, United States | Pan American World Airways, In | No injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 1997 | Bell UH-1H | Tahoe City, California, United States | Usda / Forest Service | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Oct 1997 | Cessna 152 | Julian, California, United States | Plus One Flyers, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 11 Oct 1997 | Schweizer 2-32 | Warner Springs, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Oct 1997 | Bellanca 7ECA | Tracy, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Oct 1997 | Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300 | Castaic, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |