N737JC

On December 26, 1996, about 1248 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20F, N737JC, collided with trees and the ground about two miles from the approach end of runway 7L at Daytona Beach, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. An instrument flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, who was instrument rated, nor the passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Elizabeth City, North Carolina, about 0822, on the same day.

According to air traffic personnel, the flight was originally destined for Melbourne, Florida. While the flight was in contact with Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center, the destination was changed to Daytona Beach, Florida. The pilot reported critical fuel when about seven miles from Daytona Beach International Airport. Subsequently, about two miles from the airport, the pilot reported that the airplane would not reach the runway.

The FAA inspector who visited the accident site reported no evidence of siphoned fuel, no evidence of fuel on the ground, and no a fuel odor.

From the departure time until the pilot reported a loss of engine power, 4.5 hours elapsed. According to a record of telephone conversation between the FAA inspector and the airplane fueler, the fuel tanks were filled to their capacity of 64 usable gallons. The pilot reported that he used 11 gallons per hour to calculate the fuel usage, which was consistent with the owners manual for the 1967 airplane. At 11 gallons per hour and 4.5 hours elapsed flight time the total fuel usage would be 49.5 gallons. Fuel used for taxi, run-up, and takeoff was not listed in the owner's manual.

A post accident flow test of the fuel servo unit revealed in the servo exceeding the upper flow limit by 1 2/3 gallons per hour (see attached report) or 7.47 gallons for the 4.5 hour flight. Using the Lycoming Operator's Manual, the fuel flow at the pilot's described flight conditions of 4,000 feet mean sea level, 23 inches manifold pressure, and 2500 rpm, was 11.3 gallons per hour at best economy mixture setting, and 13.0 gallons per hour at best power mixture setting. Based on these figures the fuel expected to be used during the 4.5 hour flight would be as follows:

best economy: 4.5 hours X 11.3 gallons/hour = 50.85 + 7.47 gallons = 58.32 gallons best power: 4.5 hours X 13 gallons /hour = 58.5 + 7.47 gallons = 65.97. Normally expected fuel for start, taxi, and run up is two to four gallons.