Summary
On April 15, 2012, a Mooney M20B (N74518) was involved in an accident near Rosamond, CA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s selection of an empty fuel tank prior to departure.
The engine lost power after takeoff, and the pilot landed in a nearby field. Both wings collided with fence posts. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the left fuel tank was about 1/4-full, and the right fuel tank was empty. He had the left fuel tank selected on start up and taxi. As he did his pretakeoff run up checks, he switched fuel tanks per his normal procedure. He did not return the selector valve to the left tank prior to departure.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR12CA166. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N74518.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s selection of an empty fuel tank prior to departure.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The engine lost power after takeoff, and the pilot landed in a nearby field. Both wings collided with fence posts. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the left fuel tank was about 1/4-full, and the right fuel tank was empty. He had the left fuel tank selected on start up and taxi. As he did his pretakeoff run up checks, he switched fuel tanks per his normal procedure. He did not return the selector valve to the left tank prior to departure.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12CA166