Mooney M20C N2610W

Summary

On 19 May 2012 at about 16:20 local time, a Mooney M20C registered N2610W, operated by McConnell William R, was involved in an accident near Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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

19 May 2012 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

North Perry Airport (HWO)

Coordinates

26.0011, -80.2406

Aircraft

Mooney M20C

Registration

N2610W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

McConnell William R

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Athens → Pembroke Pines

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12CA348

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane had flown about 4 hours, 25 minutes, including two takeoffs and climbs, since its last fueling. When the airplane was about 3 miles from the destination airport at 1,200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The fuel selector was positioned to the left main fuel tank when the power loss occurred. The pilot moved the selector to the right main fuel tank, but the engine did not regain power. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a road. During the landing, he veered left to avoid an automobile and the left wing impacted a median. The airplane spun 180 degrees and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation; however, there was impact-related damage to both wings. The left main fuel tank was intact and did not contain any fuel. Although the top of the right main fuel tank had been compromised, there was no evidence that fuel had leaked from that tank. About 1/2 gallon of fuel was found in the right main fuel tank.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.