Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and the inadequate fuel supply for the flight. Factors related to the accident were the ditch and the quantity gage which gave a false indication.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 27, 1994, at 0217 central daylight time, a Mooney M20E, N6942U, registered to Peter O. Coltman, and piloted by a commercial instrument pilot collided with rough terrain during a forced landing along side a highway in Omaha, Nebraska, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Austin, Texas, at 2145 central daylight time, on May 26, 1994.
The pilot stated he started the flight on the left fuel tank then switched to the right. He ran the right tank dry then switched back to the left for the remainder of the flight. N6942U was cleared to descent to the Omaha Epply Airport and the pilot was told to report the airport in sight. The pilot stated that the engine quit during the descent. A forced landing was made in a field near the intersection of I-370 and W60 in Omaha. During the landing the airplane contacted a two foot wide ditch which was two to three feet deep.
Post accident inspection of the airplane by an Inspector from the Lincoln, Nebraska Flight Standards District Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed 1/2 cup of fuel remained in the left fuel tank and the right fuel tank was empty. The left fuel tank quantity indicator was indicating 30 pounds of fuel remained in that tank.
The pilot was given an NTSB 6120.1/2 Form by the FAA Inspector who inspected the airplane. This form was not received by the NTSB. A second form was mailed certified to the pilot. The pilot stated during a telephone conversation with the NTSB that mailed the original form and that he would mail a copy of the form. Neither form has been received by the NTSB as of the date of this report.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA180