Mooney M20K N4091H

Summary

On 1 November 2007 at about 19:06 local time, a Mooney M20K registered N4091H was involved in an accident near Panama City, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

1 November 2007 at 19:06

Classification

Accident

Location

Panama City, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Panama City International (PFN)

Coordinates

30.2092, -85.8875

Aircraft

Mooney M20K

Registration

N4091H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Panama City → Panama City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA08FA010

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to recent cocaine use.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident airplane had not flown for an undetermined period of time, and the pilot was planning to conduct a 30-minute local flight. The pilot's mechanic attempted to prepare the airplane for the flight, and while prepping the airplane he drained water from both fuel tanks for approximately 45 minutes. He started the engine and let it run for 15 minutes. During that time the pilot arrived at the airport, and the mechanic suggested to the pilot that he allow him to fully drain the fuel tanks prior to his flight. The pilot refused and he and the passenger boarded the airplane. The flight departed, and shortly after the pilot reported a loss of engine power and ditched in the Gulf of Mexico. Examination of the airplane revealed water contamination of the fuel. Review of the pilot's toxicology report revealed the use of controlled substances. Post mortem toxicology testing performed on the pilot was consistent with the regular use and very recent smoking of cocaine, likely within 1 hour of the accident. The pilot’s medical certificate was expired at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.