On April 23, 1994, a Mooney M20-C (registration N6524U) operated by John M. Dawson was involved in an aviation accident near Page, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOTS TO ASSURE THAT AMPLE FUEL WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT. THE GENERATOR FAILURE AND AN INOPERATIVE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a cross-country flight, the airplane experienced an electrical system failure, followed by an engine failure when power was added for landing. The flight instructor performed an off-runway landing in soft terrain. Postcrash inspection revealed fuel imbalance and generator failure.
Flight and Emergency
A cross-country flight intended for an airplane check-out was in progress, with the airplane owner accompanied by a flight instructor. Approximately three hours after departure, the electrical system failed. The pilots diverted to Page. About 40 minutes later, the flight arrived over the airport and descended to enter a downwind landing pattern. When power was added, the pilots discovered that the engine had quit. Emergency procedures were attempted but failed to restart the engine.
Landing and Postcrash Findings
The flight instructor took over the controls. The airplane landed short of a crosswind runway in soft terrain. A postcrash inspection conducted by the airport manager revealed residual fuel in the right fuel tank and approximately 1-1/2 inches of fuel in the left tank, with the wings tipped downward toward the right wing. The fuel selector had been positioned on the right fuel tank during the descent. The airplane's generator had failed.