Event LAX07CA098

Factual narrative

On March 3, 2007, about 0745 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20D, N6628U, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise and made an emergency landing in an industrial building construction site near Visalia, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage after impacting a ditch during the landing rollout. The cross-country personal flight departed Concord, California, about 0645, with a planned destination of Visalia Airport (VIS), Visalia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 36 degrees 20 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 23 minutes west longitude. The pilot reported that he did not check the fuel quantity during his preflight inspection, but stated that the airplane had been "topped off" about a month before, and he had flown for about 1 hour out of the right tank. The pilot believed that the accident flight was flown on the left tank. He did not remember switching tanks during the 160 nm flight. About 3 miles north of VIS the engine "sputtered." He switched tanks and engaged the fuel boost pump. The engine "caught", then "sputtered" again. The pilot switched tanks three or four more times. The pilot landed the airplane in an industrial building construction site. During the landing rollout the airplane impacted a dirt berm, substantially damaging the fuselage. Post accident inspection of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the right fuel tank was empty and the left tank contained about 6 gallons 100LL aviation fuel. The fuel line to the carburetor did not contain any fuel when disconnected. The fuel line was reconnected and the fuel selector valve was noted to be selected to the right tank position. The electric fuel boost pump was activated and no fuel pressure indication was observed. The fuel selector was changed to the left fuel tank position, and fuel pressure was observed to be in the normal operating range. The airplane collided with a berm during a forced landing in an industrial building construction site following a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that during the preflight inspection he did not check the fuel quantity. He stated that a month prior to the accident the airplane had been "topped off," and then flown about an hour from the right fuel tank. The pilot also said that during the 160 nautical mile accident flight he did not recall switching fuel tanks. About 3 miles north of the destination airport the engine sputtered and lost power. He switched tanks and activated the electric fuel boost pump, the engine restarted momentarily, then sputtered and lost power again. The pilot switched tanks three or four more times to no avail. Post accident inspection of the airplane by the FAA revealed that the right fuel tank was empty and the left tank contained about 6 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. The fuel line to the carburetor did not contain any fuel. The fuel selector valve was selected to the right tank position. The electric fuel pump was activated and no fuel pressure indication was observed. The fuel selector handle was moved to the left fuel tank position and a fuel pressure indication was observed in the normal operating range. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12