History of Flight
On May 18, 2014, at 0959 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K, registration N200DP, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines and terrain following a total loss of engine power while on approach to Sussex County Airport (GED) in Georgetown, Delaware. The airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed Woodbine Municipal Airport (OBI), Woodbine, New Jersey, about 0935. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot reported that his airplane was one of four flying from OBI to GED for fuel and brunch. He estimated the 40-mile flight would consume about 6 gallons of fuel, and he believed there were 15 to 20 gallons on board at departure. The en route portion was flown at 4,500 feet. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 04, extended the downwind leg due to traffic, switched from the left fuel tank to the right, lowered the landing gear, moved the propeller lever to full, and completed landing checks. While turning from base to final, he attempted to increase engine power but got no response beyond 1,000 rpm. He switched the fuel selector back to the left tank, but the airplane impacted power lines and came to rest near the airport boundary.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a multiengine rating and a commercial pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 30, 2011. He reported 5,000 total hours of flight experience, with 400 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1979. On August 31, 1995, a 305-horsepower Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-NB engine was installed under Supplemental Type Certificate SE022SE by Rocket Engineering Corporation. The most recent annual inspection was completed on June 10, 2013, and the airplane had accrued 91 hours since then. The pilot estimated total aircraft hours at 3,000.
According to Rocket Engineering Corporation, fuel consumption during maximum-power climb could be up to 33 gallons per hour, and between economy-cruise and maximum-cruise settings, 15 to 25 gallons per hour. The Mooney M20K Pilot Operating Handbook listed a fuel capacity of 78.6 gallons, with 75.6 gallons usable.
Meteorological Information
At 0954, weather conditions at GED included a broken ceiling at 7,500 feet, visibility 10 miles, temperature 16°C, dew point 6°C, altimeter setting 30.22 inches of mercury, and wind from 010° at 6 knots.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was recovered from the accident site and moved to GED airport property for later examination. During recovery, approximately 7 gallons of fuel were recovered, but the amounts from each wing tank could not be determined. Photographs showed substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. All three propeller blades were damaged, with one blade cut and scored deeply near its root.
Additional Information
The pilot reported downloading data from the airplane's engine monitor and stated that 60 seconds before the propeller stopped, there was no fuel flow. He said he probably should have purchased fuel before departure from OBI.
On June 25, 2014, the airplane was secured to a flatbed trailer in Georgetown, Delaware. A slave propeller was installed, and the airplane was serviced with 10 gallons of aviation fuel (5 gallons in each wing tank). An external battery was connected, and an engine start was attempted. The engine started immediately and was allowed to warm up at 1,000 rpm. It was accelerated to 1,500 rpm for a magneto check with satisfactory results, then smoothly to 2,400 rpm, where it ran without interruption until stopped by cockpit controls. During the engine run, the fuel selector was switched four times between left and right tanks, and the engine ran continuously each time.