N6327Q

On July 27, 1994, at 0655 central daylight time, a Mooney M20C airplane, N6327Q, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Macon-Fower Memorial Airport, Macon, Missouri. The student pilot sustained no injuries. The personal flight departed the Kansas City Downtown Airport at 0555 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. The planned destination was Quincy, Illinois and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was cruising at 9,500 feet MSL and experienced a partial loss of engine power. He said he applied carburetor heat and full rich mixture but the engine did not recover. He turned on the fuel boost pump and the engine recovered to normal operation. About 10 minutes later, he experienced a second partial loss of engine power and elected to divert to the nearest airport for a precautionary landing. He reduced power and descended to land at the Macon Airport.

He reported that he saw a large black runway and no markings were noted. He saw vehicles near the runway which he thought were lawn mowers. During the landing roll on runway 02, the airplane collided with a piece of construction equipment and then a construction vehicle. The airplane came to rest in the grass on the edge of the runway.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. He reported that the left wing was sheared near the outboard edge of the flap and the right main landing gear was collapsed. The tail tie down was bent and skin was wrinkled near the horizontal stabilizer. He said the construction equipment sustained superficial damage.

A fuel sample was checked and revealed no contamination. Examination of engine and flight control continuity revealed no anomalies. The inspector stated that during a static engine run, the engine performed normally. Additionally, he said that at the time of the accident, runway 02 was closed. He said it was properly marked and that a notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued.

During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airplane had a history of fuel contamination. He said he was aware of several previous engine anomalies which were attributed to cracked sealant in the fuel tanks. He said pieces of the sealant broke free and created an intermittent restriction in the fuel system.