Accident Details
A pilot departed Tracy, California, on a nonstop delivery flight of a recently sold 1959 Mooney M20A to its new owner. Approximately three hours and 19 minutes later, after covering more than 470 nautical miles, the engine stopped while the pilot was descending toward the destination airport in Troutdale, Oregon. The pilot executed an emergency landing to a golf course located about 2.5 nautical miles south of the airport. During the forced landing, the aircraft impacted trees.
Pilot Statements
Before departure, the pilot fueled the aircraft and believed both wing tanks were full, each with a capacity of 17.5 gallons. He also thought the auxiliary tank, which has a 14-gallon capacity, "sounded full." Following the accident, a police officer from the Gresham Police Department interviewed the pilot. The pilot told the officer that he "couldn't understand how he could have run out of gas but when the engine quit he switched tanks and tried everything he could but the engine wouldn't start. All his fuel gauges read empty."
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft after the accident. The inspection revealed six ounces of fuel in each wing tank and less than one gallon in the auxiliary tank.