Mooney M20J N7666P

Summary

On 3 September 1993 at about 16:41 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N7666P, operated by Brian Poole, was involved in an accident near Mitchellville, Maryland, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 September 1993 at 16:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Mitchellville, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Freeway (W00)

Coordinates

38.9507, -76.7309

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N7666P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Brian Poole

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93FA153

1 person was seriously injured.

CORROSION IN THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. RELATED FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED HIS PRETAKEOFF CHECK AND RUN-UP, SUCCESSFULLY. HE STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. THIS WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT WHILE IN MAINTENANCE TO DETERMINE TWO PRIOR PARTIAL POWER LOSSES DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE AIRPLANE WAS REMOVED TO A HANGAR WHERE AN ENGINE RUN WAS ACCOMPLISHED AFTER A SUBSTITUTE PROPELLER WAS INSTALLED. THE ENGINE ATTAINED OVER 2675 RPM AND 26 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SERVO INLET SCREENS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF RUST AND CONTAMINATION. FURTHER TESTING OF THE SERVO INDICATED WATER AND CORROSION IN THE DIAPHRAGM ASSEMBLY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.