What happened
On September 2, 2002, a Mooney M20E, registration C-FWII, departed from Runway 30 at Québec airport for a visual flight rules (VFR) trip to Rimouski, Quebec. The aircraft was occupied by a pilot, a flight instructor, and one passenger. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing through approximately 600 feet above sea level, the pilot reported an engine failure and declared an emergency.
Witnesses observed the aircraft performing a steep right turn before the nose dropped, leading to a crash in a field near a baseball field, less than one nautical mile from the end of the runway. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and the three fatalities were confirmed. Although the aircraft was destroyed, no fire occurred at the crash site.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine, fuel system, and airframe for potential causes of the power loss. A teardown of the Lycoming engine and inspection of the fuel system, including filters and tanks, revealed no contaminants, water, or mechanical irregularities. While the aircraft was 80 pounds over its maximum takeoff weight based on actual occupant weights, the center of gravity remained within limits.
The investigation also looked into the aircraft's configuration. The fuel selector on this specific model is located on the floor and can be difficult to reach without interfering with flight controls. Additionally, the investigation noted that the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) failed to activate upon impact, though it did activate later during wreckage recovery.
Findings
- The engine failure reason could not be determined.
- The pilot flying failed to maintain the minimum required flying speed after the engine stopped.
- The aircraft stalled at an altitude too low to allow for a successful recovery.
- The execution of a steep turn after the engine failure increased the stall speed, contributing to the loss of control.
- The engine failure occurred at a low altitude, leaving the crew with insufficient time to select a landing site or complete emergency procedures.
- Regulations allowed the flight instructor to provide instruction on an aircraft type despite having no prior experience with the model.
- The fuel selector's location on the floor may have hindered the pilot's ability to manipulate controls effectively.