N6004X

On December 1, 2005, about 1720 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20A, N6004X, made a hard landing on a road near China Lake, California, following a loss of engine power. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1300, with a planned destination of Inyokern, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that he departed Dodge City, Kansas, earlier in the day with a planned refueling stop in Albuquerque. The pilot reported that he had 49 gallons of fuel on board when he departed Albuquerque. After departing Albuquerque there were no discrepancies noted with the flight. About 1640, the pilot noticed a problem with his fuel pressure, and readjusted the throttle to attain best fuel efficiency. He contacted Joshua Approach Control, and reported "low fuel." The controller recommended the Trona, California, airport (L72) as an alternate landing site.

He stated that as he manuevered for landing at L72, he encountered "extreme turbulence." The weather information the pilot had for L72 (winds 200 degrees at 24 knots gusting to 36 knots) indicated to him the crosswinds would exceed "the capabailities of the Mooney." The airplane lost power about 1 minute after crossing over Highway 178. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine restarted for about 20 seconds, then quit again. He chose to land on the highway instead of trying to make L72. The pilot stated that the section of highway 178 he was landing on was in Poison Canyon, where the road was not flat or straight. The pilot stated that in the darkness he was unable to see the rising road before he impacted the terrain. The airplane hit the ground and came to rest in between the road and a ditch. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.