Summary
On December 26, 2008, a Mooney M20C (N1216X) was involved in an incident near Edgewood, NM. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A total loss of engine power while at cruise altitude for undetermined reasons.
The private pilot was at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument flight rules flight plan when he experienced a total loss of engine power 6 minutes after switching fuel tanks. The pilot initiated an emergency descent and broke out of the clouds at approximately 300 feet above the ground and landed in a clearing with the landing gear retracted. The airplane slid approximately 300 feet and impacted a fence. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA104. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1216X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power while at cruise altitude for undetermined reasons.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The private pilot was at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument flight rules flight plan when he experienced a total loss of engine power 6 minutes after switching fuel tanks. The pilot initiated an emergency descent and broke out of the clouds at approximately 300 feet above the ground and landed in a clearing with the landing gear retracted. The airplane slid approximately 300 feet and impacted a fence. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA104