History of Flight
On March 9, 2016, at about 1309 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20C airplane, registration N242TS, was substantially damaged during an accident near Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The pilot was seriously injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The accident flight was the airplane's first after an annual inspection performed by Heller Aero Services at Heritage Field Airport (PTW). The pilot stated he completed a thorough preflight inspection, including checking and draining fuel from the sumps. After starting the engine, he performed two runups before taxiing to runway 28 for takeoff. Witnesses observed the pilot shut down the engine after starting, exit the airplane to remove wheel chocks, then re-enter and restart the engine before taxiing.
During takeoff, the pilot reported everything appeared normal; he retracted the landing gear at about 80 mph and flaps shortly after. Witnesses also noted a normal takeoff and landing gear retraction. At an altitude of 300 to 400 ft above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a total loss of power. One witness reported hearing the engine "cut out" and then "surge." The witness stated the airplane began a right turn about 300 ft agl and appeared to stop climbing while the turn steepened.
The pilot verified that the fuel was selected to the appropriate tank, electric boost pump was on, and mixture was full rich. He attempted to regain power by pumping the throttle but was unsuccessful. Realizing he could not safely return to the airport, he turned right to avoid property and people ahead, aiming for a grassy area north of the runway. The airplane rapidly lost altitude, leveled off, and bounced down on the grass where it came to rest.
A witness drove to the accident site and assisted the pilot from the airplane. At the scene, the fuel selector was on the left tank, key in BOTH, boost pump on, mixture full rich. The witness placed the fuel selector to OFF, turned magnetos off, and switched the boost pump off. The pilot sustained a forehead laceration, appeared confused but could walk, and was transported to a hospital.
Airplane Information
The mechanic who performed the annual inspection stated he completed several static power runups the day before; no abnormalities were noted. The pilot had complained about a cranking issue during engine start, but the mechanic verified no such issue during his starts. The airplane had been at PTW for about 2 weeks, subject to heavy rain, and had not been fueled since arrival.
The fuel tank capacity was 24 gallons per wing tank (48 total). Unlike later models, the 1962 and 1963 Mooney M20C does not have a pull ring to drain the fuel selector sump from the cabin; it is drained externally similar to wing tanks. A gascolator (fuel strainer) is located in the nosewheel well and can be inspected and drained externally.
Fuel sumps should be drained during preflight inspection, as per the owner's manual.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest upright on an easterly heading with landing gear retracted and aft fuselage bent right. A 600-ft debris path began near the right side of runway 28 near the west midfield taxiway intersection. About 150 ft from initial ground contact, the left aileron, left elevator counterweight, and small wingtip parts were found in ground scars.
Ground scars indicated initial touchdown on a north-northwest heading in wings-level attitude; the right wingtip then dug into the ground about 100 ft beyond that point. The airplane slid another 100 ft and came to rest. All flight control surfaces were accounted for; no preimpact failures or anomalies were found. The fuel selector valve, electric fuel pump, throttle, and mixture controls were functional.
The engine remained on its mount. Both propeller blades were bent aft 30º to 60º midspan with no leading edge damage. Examination revealed no preimpact failure or malfunction that would preclude normal operation. Exhaust pipes had minor impact damage; no obstructions in exhaust path. Drive and valve train continuity was confirmed, thumb compression verified on all cylinders. Internal cylinder inspection via borescope was unremarkable.
Magnetos were timed to 25° before top dead center per specification. All harness leads produced spark when crankshaft rotated. Spark plugs were undamaged with normal electrode signatures. Oil suction screen was unobstructed; engine contained oil.
About 10 gallons of fuel were recovered from each wing tank. Fuel samples from the left wing, fuel strainer, and right wing all contained water. The carburetor float bowl also contained water. Fuel tank cap seals and sealing surfaces showed no cuts, abrasions, or deterioration.
Review of fueling records showed the pilot purchased 5 gallons of fuel on February 7, 2016, at Wings Field Airport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The fuel provider's records revealed no evidence of contamination.
Probable Cause
The source does not provide a statement of probable cause.