Accident Sequence
On April 21, 2016, at approximately 1140 central daylight time, a Mooney M20C, registration N6870N, departed from William R. Pogue Municipal Airport (OWP) in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, en route to Ponca City Regional Airport (PNC) in Ponca City, Oklahoma. During the initial climb, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot made a "mayday" emergency radio call and attempted to turn back toward the airport. The airplane subsequently descended and impacted trees less than one mile northeast of OWP, coming to rest inverted. The accident resulted in extensive damage to both wings, ailerons, fuselage, empennage, and tail surfaces. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was extricated from the wreckage by emergency medical personnel.
Preflight and Fuel Inspection
During the preflight inspection, the pilot reported that there was no contamination or water in the fuel, and the fuel appeared blue, similar to 100LL. The pilot did not dip-stick the fuel tanks but relied on the fuel gauges, which indicated a quarter tank on the left and one-third tank on the right, for a total of 15 to 16 gallons. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed.
Examination
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the Oklahoma City Flight Standards District Office examined the wreckage. The fuel tanks had not been compromised. According to a conversation with the airworthiness inspector, although the airplane had recently received an annual inspection, it had not been flown for nearly a year, and the fuel was at least that old. Examination of the fuel in the fuel pump and gascolator revealed only a few drops of fuel, with no evidence of water or other contamination. No visible fuel was observed in the left fuel tank, and 10 to 12 ounces of fuel were drained from that sump. The right fuel tank contained a few gallons of fuel, but the inspector was unable to drain or measure it because the wing was resting on the hangar floor. The fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank.
Pilot Statement
In an email dated May 12, 2016, the pilot stated that he believed the cause of the loss of engine power was fuel starvation, resulting from relying on inaccurate fuel gauge information and overestimating the amount of fuel available in the left tank.