N3588X

On March 6, 1999, about 1210 eastern standard time, a Mooney 20G, N3588X, registered to a private individual, crashed during a forced landing near Naples, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated at 1130.

The flight was in the traffic pattern, and the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. The pilot reported that after completing a touch-and-go on runway 14, and on climbout was assigned a right hand traffic pattern by the control tower. On crosswind the airplane's engine lost complete power. The pilot said, "...I pitched [the nose] down and tried to restart the engine, on either tank using both the starter and windmilling." He attempted to make a forced landing to a golf course, but decided on a road, because there were people on the golf course. The airplane landed on the road gear up, heading southbound, skidded forward, and the right wing struck two mailboxes. The airplane continued forward striking a tree, and separating a portion of the right wing.

Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no fuel in the right main tank. No fuel was found in the carburetor, and the fuel selector was found in the "OFF" position. About 10 gallons of fuel was found in the left tank. The left fuel system operated without discrepancies, and fuel flowed from the tank. No broken fuel lines were found, and the engine displayed no discrepancies.

The airplane flew 1.7 hours before the flight on March 6, 1999. The airplane was last refueled on February 11, 1999. The FAA inspector wrote in his report, "...subsequent fuel calculations revealed that at the time of the accident, the right fuel tank would have been empty of usable fuel."

According to the FAA inspector's report the pilot stated to him, "...that when the engine failed...that he had been flying on the right tank for approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident. He also stated that he tried to select the left fuel tank but it is possible that he may have selected the 'Off' position inadvertently."