On February 10, 2007, a Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K (registration N5737M) was involved in an aviation accident near Ingalls, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel during a diversion, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and an emergency landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting an instrument approach at his original destination diverted to another airport but ran out of fuel, resulting in a forced landing and substantial damage to the aircraft.
What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft while attempting an instrument approach at his intended destination. When the approach could not be completed as planned, he decided to divert to an alternate airport. During this diversion phase, the engine began to sputter before stopping completely. The pilot reported that he had run out of fuel. He then executed a forced landing in a field. This emergency landing resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.
The investigation
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an examination of the airplane's systems. The inspection revealed no mechanical anomalies or defects that would explain the engine failure. The lack of mechanical issues pointed toward an operational cause for the loss of power.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot failed to ensure sufficient fuel was available for the diversion after the initial approach attempt. The engine quit due to a lack of fuel supply, not a mechanical failure. The subsequent forced landing caused substantial damage to the aircraft structure and systems.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel during a diversion, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and an emergency landing.