History of Flight
On May 10, 2011, about 1757 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20R, registration N9149R, struck trees and terrain during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. The pilot and two passengers received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to 2201 Inc, Akron, Ohio, and operated by a private pilot under Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated without a flight plan. The local flight originated from Akron Fulton International Airport (AKR) around 1745.
The pilot reported the flight was intended to demonstrate the airplane to potential shareholders and had about 70 gallons of fuel on board. After one takeoff and landing in the AKR traffic pattern, a second takeoff was performed. The pilot climbed to 3,200 feet, engaged the autopilot, and flew east. While between Kent State University Airport (1G3) and Portage County Airport (POV), the engine suddenly stopped. Fuel tank switches and two restart attempts were unsuccessful. The right wing struck a tree during the forced landing. The pilot estimated about 30 gallons of fuel in each wing tank at the time of power loss.
A passenger, also a certificated pilot, confirmed the fuel quantity and events, noting the engine continued making noise after losing power. A first-on-scene witness reported no engine noise before impact and initially smelled fuel but later did not recall the odor. A second witness heard the engine attempting to run and noted a strong fuel smell at the site.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings, with 1,045 total flight hours (820 in the same make/model). His most recent flight review was June 15, 2010, and his third-class medical certificate (May 11, 2010) had no limitations.
Aircraft Information
N9149R was a 1994 Mooney M20R, serial number 29-0004, a single-engine low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear and aluminum construction. It was powered by a Continental Motors IO-550-G engine (280 horsepower). An annual inspection was performed on March 1, 2011, at 2,048.1 hours on the recording hour meter. The engine had 842.9 hours since overhaul. At the accident, the hour meter read 2,050.4.
Meteorological Information
At 1758, weather at POV included wind from 120 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 9,000 feet, temperature 23°C, dew point 4°C, and altimeter 29.90 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was moved to AKR for examination. The left wing tank was nearly full; an estimated 40 gallons were removed. The right wing tank was compromised with no fuel remaining. The fuselage was extensively damaged in the cabin area. The left wing had minimal damage; the right wing showed upward bending and separation of its outboard portion. The tail surfaces exhibited varying damage. The internal fuel strainers were clean and unobstructed. The fuel selector valve was positioned on the right tank. The gascolator and electric fuel pump showed no obstruction. The mechanical fuel pump had a fractured fitting, which was replaced for testing.
During an engine functional test, the engine started on the second attempt and ran for 2–3 minutes at various speeds without anomaly or hesitation. No defects in engine operation were noted.
Data from the fuel flow instrument indicated 267 gallons used since last reset (exceeding tank capacity, indicating it was not reset). Engine analyzer data showed a sharp decline in exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature, consistent with a power reduction.
Additional Information
The mechanic who performed the annual inspection reported that the airplane was fueled with maximum usable fuel (44.5 gallons per wing) for weight and balance. No evidence indicated fuel was added after the inspection. The airplane operated for 2.3 hours on the hour meter since the annual. The hour meter records time based on RPM; at 2,500 RPM it records 1:1, at lower RPM proportionally less. Fuel consumption at full rich is 21.3–22.1 gph at 2,500 RPM; best power lean is 16.0 gph; best economy lean is 14.5 gph. Endurance on a single tank (44.5 gallons usable) is between 2.0 and 3.1 hours.