Mooney M20E N1261X

Summary

On 13 October 2007 at about 15:00 local time, a Mooney M20E registered N1261X was involved in an accident near Muskegon, Michigan, United States. One person was 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

13 October 2007 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Muskegon, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Muskegon County (MKG)

Coordinates

43.1694, -86.2381

Aircraft

Mooney M20E

Registration

N1261X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Muskegon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08LA016

1 person had minor injuries.

Loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing available to the pilot due to the presence of a residential sub-division and trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted a tree and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff. The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal. However, during initial climb out, about 500 feet above ground level, the engine "suddenly lost all power." He noted that there were trees and a residential sub-division in front of the airplane at the time. He attempted to return to the airport, but did not have sufficient altitude. A post accident examination did not reveal any anomalies that were consistent with a complete loss of engine power. However, during the examination of the fuel system continuity through the fuel servo could not be conclusively established. Testing of the fuel servo revealed an accumulation of debris in the fuel screen. The bypass function of the servo appeared operational. Subsequent bench testing of the servo did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.