Mooney M20A N8385E

Summary

On 7 August 1998 at about 15:03 local time, a Mooney M20A registered N8385E was involved in an accident near Marathon, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 August 1998 at 15:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Marathon, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Marathon Airport (MTH)

Coordinates

24.7090, -81.0798

Aircraft

Mooney M20A

Registration

N8385E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Warner Robbins → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98LA105

2 people were seriously injured.

The inadequate inspection of the fuel pump during the last engine overhaul, that subsequently resulted in a worn diaphragm, fuel venting overboard, and loss of engine power from fuel exhaustion during a critical phase of flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on a short final approach, the engine quit. When the runway could not be reached, a forced landing was made into a shallow bay adjacent to the flight path, to avoid obstacles,. Following the accident, the engine was disassembled and examined. During the examination, the fuel pump diaphragm was found perforated, which would allow fuel to be dumped overboard, during flight. An examination of the maintenance records indicated that the fuel pump was not inspected nor repaired during the last engine overhaul. The pilot indicated in his report of the accident that he and his passenger had smelled fuel at one point during the cross country flight. Since the odor did not persist, the flight was continued.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.