Accident Overview
On March 18, 2016, at approximately 1525 central daylight time, a Mooney M20C, registration N9262M, experienced a loss of engine power while on approach to the Col. James Jabara Airport (AAO) in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft subsequently collided with terrain. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The airplane, registered to Sabris Corporation of Wichita, Kansas, was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Dickson Municipal Airport (M02) in Tennessee around 1130 and was en route to AAO.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot's statement, he preflighted the airplane at M02 and noted both fuel tanks were "filled to the rim." (Per Mooney Aircraft Corporation, the M20C fuel capacity is 52 gallons, with 26 gallons per wing tank.) The flight to AAO was uneventful. Due to inbound IFR traffic, the pilot extended the downwind leg when the engine suddenly lost power. He reported using the ALARMS checklist (airspeed, landing site, air restart, radios, mayday, secure plane). Determining he was too far from the runway, he attempted to land on a golf course. The pilot did not recall the forced landing and woke up in an ambulance en route to the hospital.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the aircraft and reported finding "no discernible quantity of fuel in the left tank." The fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank, and the electric fuel pump was in the off position. When the airplane was placed level, the inspector could not sump fuel from the left tank, even with the electric fuel pump running, nor from the fuel selector valve sump. Some fuel was noted in the right fuel tank; the inspector could sump fuel from the right tank, with a depth of about 2 to 3 inches. There was no evidence of fuel spillage, and the fuel tanks did not appear breached. No fuel stains were present on the ground, nor was there a smell of fuel around the airplane. No other anomalies or mechanical failures were noted.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage, including a buckled lower fuselage from the engine cowling aft to the rear bulkhead. The firewall was bent. The right wing leading edge bore crush damage, and the main landing gear was pushed up through the wing. The flap was also bent.