Mooney M20J N5765H

Summary

On 10 November 2019 at about 14:20 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N5765H was involved in an accident near St. Augustine, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

10 November 2019 at 14:20

Classification

Accident

Location

St. Augustine, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Northeast Florida Regional (SGJ)

Coordinates

29.9414, -81.3178

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N5765H

Category

Airplane

Year built

1984

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gainesville → St. Augustine

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA20LA033

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After an annual inspection was completed, the pilot was repositioning his airplane back to his home airport, which was about 1 hour away from the airport where the inspection was performed. During approach to his home airport, while on an extended base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine began to surge for several seconds, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot verified that the fuel boost pump was on, the mixture was in the full-rich position, and the fuel selector was positioned to the correct fuel tank. He then attempted to glide the airplane to the airport, but the airplane impacted brackish water about 1 mile short of the runway. Examination of the wreckage at the site revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank; about 20 gallons of 100-low-lead aviation gasoline was drained from the right tank. Water was drained from the left main fuel tank. The water had a smell of fuel, but no fuel was observed in the left tank. The engine was subsequently examined at a recovery facility and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. Due to corrosion, the magnetos and fuel pump could not be tested. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.