Accident Overview
On August 20, 2017, at approximately 2055 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, registration N6833N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Flagler Executive Airport (FIN) in Palm Coast, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the planned personal flight to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE). The airplane was privately owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he and a passenger were returning from a prior flight to St Marys Airport (4J6) in St Marys, Georgia, and had stopped at FIN for fuel. During takeoff, the pilot noticed the engine was not producing full power. During the initial climb, the engine continued to lose power and at about 400 feet above ground level, total power was lost. The pilot advised the local air traffic controller of the power loss and intent to land on a road. During touchdown, flames appeared in the cockpit near the passenger's feet. The pilot stopped the airplane, and both occupants egressed quickly. The pilot stated he did not turn off the master switch or boost pump and could not re-enter the airplane due to intense flames.
Witness Observation
A witness working in a hangar approximately 75 yards from the self-service fuel farm heard an airplane start up with a rough-running engine. He saw the accident airplane at the fuel farm, noted the exhaust was shaking, and then observed the airplane taxi toward the runway. Minutes later, the airport authority arrived and locked the fuel farm, stating the Mooney had crashed on a road.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
Post-accident examination revealed the cabin was consumed by fire. The engine compartment was blackened by soot but intact; the wings, tail section, and landing gear were intact. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders except the No. 4 cylinder. Borescope examination showed the No. 4 cylinder head was cracked from the exhaust valve to one spark plug hole. The fuel pressure gauge line was burned approximately 3 inches from the carburetor. The bottom of the firewall, in front of the co-pilot's seat and below the rudder pedals, was burned through with metal drooping from heat.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, low-wing Mooney M20C was manufactured in 1968, powered by a Lycoming O-360 series 180-horsepower engine driving a Hartzell two-blade constant-speed propeller. According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane received its airworthiness certificate on May 30, 1968, and was registered to the current owner on November 15, 2012. The most recent annual inspection occurred on November 1, 2016, at 7,644.5 hours total time. The engine was last overhauled on December 4, 2001, and had accumulated 680.4 hours of service.