Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s improper fuel planning before the flight.
NTSB analysis
After about 1 hour of normal flight, the engine lost power. The pilot switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank and the engine restarted. About 5 minutes later, the engine lost power again. The pilot decided to land the airplane in a field since the nearest airport was about 8 miles away. Upon touchdown in the field, the airplane hit a berm, and the landing gear collapsed. The aft fuselage and empennage sustained substantial damage. After the accident, the pilot reported that he was not familiar with the recently purchased airplane’s fuel system. He also stated that he normally topped off his fuel tanks before each flight, but he did not do so before the accident flight. Examination of the airplane at the accident site confirmed that there was no usable fuel on board.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA249 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 1, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lahoma, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Enid Municipal (WDG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney M20C
- N-number
- N6728U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1963
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.