Mooney M-20K-231 N1173E
3 February 1990 · Winter Haven, Florida, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 3 February 1990 at about 18:30 local time, a Mooney M-20K-231 registered N1173E was involved in an accident near Winter Haven, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Winter Haven, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- 27.9706, -81.8893
- Aircraft
- Mooney M-20K-231
- Registration
- N1173E
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Vero Beach → Winterhaven
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA90LA065
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO PROPERLY PRE-FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE AND ASSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY WAS ONBOARD TO COMPLETE THE INTENDED FLIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT DID NOT VISUALLY CONFIRM THE FUEL QUANTITY ON THE AIRPLANE DURING PREFLIGHT. ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THERE WERE ABOUT 17 GALLONS ON THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mooney M-20K accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1991 | Mooney M-20K | McCall, Idaho, United States | John G. McManus | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jul 1988 | Mooney M-20K | Gunnison, Colorado, United States | Norman F. Casey | No injuries | - |
| 18 Nov 1983 | Mooney M-20K | Buffalo, Minnesota, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 May 1983 | Mooney M-20K | Old Lyme, Connecticut, United States | Yale Grayson | Fatal | 1 |
| 27 Sep 1982 | Mooney M-20K | Mammoth Lakes, California, United States | Divid C. Matthews, JR. | Fatal | 1 |
| 30 Sep 1979 | Mooney M-20K | Benton, Tennessee, United States | Broken BOW Air | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1990 | Lockheed L1329 | Miami, Florida, United States | Tokoph, David | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Cessna 172G | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Weeks, Milton D. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Jan 1990 | Piper PA-30 | Tallahassee, Florida, United States | Calley, Nicholas O. | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Piper PA-28-151 | Jupiter, Florida, United States | Zimmerman, Barry L. | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1990 | Piper J-3 | Clewiston, Florida, United States | Nesbitt, James K. | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Dec 1990 | Beechcraft F33A | Lakeland, Florida, United States | Globe Aero Ltd. | No injuries | - |