On February 28, 2007, a Mooney M20F (registration N3278F) operated by Joseph M. Glatts was involved in an aviation accident near Landenberg, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Mooney M20F sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot reported no mechanical issues.
Accident Overview
A Mooney M20F, piloted by the owner, departed for a local flight. Approximately 30 to 35 minutes after takeoff, the engine began to sputter and subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and airframe.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were intact but contained no fuel. The pilot stated that he did not encounter any mechanical problems with the airplane and attributed the loss of engine power to fuel exhaustion.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported a total flight experience of 2,065 hours, including approximately 292 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.