Mooney M20R N5284C

Summary

On 1 January 2004 at about 21:15 local time, a Mooney M20R registered N5284C was involved in an accident near Sheridan, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 January 2004 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Sheridan, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Sheridan Municipal Airport (9M8)

Coordinates

34.3283, -92.3508

Aircraft

Mooney M20R

Registration

N5284C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Walnut Ridge → Brownsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04LA053

2 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft engine lost power 2.5 miles from its destination. Prior to departure the 4,800-hour pilot reported topping-off the fuel tanks with 82 gallons of fuel. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately 25 gallons of fuel, and the left fuel tank was empty. The fuel selector valve was observed to be in the "LEFT" tank position. An engine run was conducted on February 24, 2004, under the supervision of a FAA inspector, who reported finding no anomolies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.