Mooney M-20 N3706N accident near Stanfield, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to adequately manage the available fuel onboard the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing on uneven terrain.

NTSB analysis

As the airplane approached the destination airport nearing the conclusion of 2 ½ hour-long cross-country flight the pilot reported that the airplane’s engine lost power. He attempted to restore engine power by manipulating the engine’s controls but was unsuccessful. He subsequently performed a forced landing to uneven terrain, and during the landing the airplane’s landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that following the accident, he observed the airplane’s left fuel tank was empty and realized that he had not repositioned the fuel selector from the left fuel tank following the loss of engine power (the right wing fuel tank was full). Given this information, the loss of engine power was likely the result of fuel starvation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA323 for the full record.