Mooney M20F N3534X

Summary

On 17 July 2011 at about 17:25 local time, a Mooney M20F registered N3534X was involved in an accident near Winslow, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 July 2011 at 17:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Winslow, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Air (INW)

Coordinates

35.1000, -110.6398

Aircraft

Mooney M20F

Registration

N3534X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Winslow → Chino

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11FA331

2 people died.

A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight, the pilot landed at the accident airport to refuel. After the airplane was refueled, witnesses saw the airplane depart toward the east. After takeoff, the pilot advised via radio that he was returning to the airport due to a rough running engine. Witnesses near the airport saw the airplane make a steep turn and then descend into an uncontrolled spiral. The airplane impacted in an inverted position at the departure end of the runway and slid about 65 yards. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed that the fuel injector servo had a substantial amount of rust and contamination inside the unit. The pilot had an issue with water contamination in the fuel system previously and suspected that he needed to replace the fuel bladders.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.