N8118EMOONEY M20A 1990-05-28 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

MOONEY M20A S/N: 1389

Summary

On May 28, 1990, a Mooney M20A (N8118E) was involved in an accident near Apache Junction, AZ. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries, with 1 person uninjured out of 3 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PROPERLY MANAGE THE AIRCRAFT FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE INDICATION AND FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY THE PILOT WHICH DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX90LA197. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8118E.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, May 28, 1990
NTSB Number
LAX90LA197
Location
APACHE JUNCTION, AZ
Event ID
20001212X23196
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PROPERLY MANAGE THE AIRCRAFT FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE INDICATION AND FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY THE PILOT WHICH DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MOONEY
Serial Number
1389
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
M20A M20P
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HARNAGEL DUARD R
Address
1209 NORTH 87TH STREET
Status
Deregistered
City
SCOTTSDALE
State / Zip Code
AZ 85257
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX90LA197