2 fatal · MOONEY M-20-C · 1992-01-19 · SANTA MONICA, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX92FA094
Event ID
20001211X14000
Type
Accident
Date
1992-01-19
Location
SANTA MONICA, CA, USA
Coordinates
34.009311, -118.460945
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
MOONEY
Model
M-20-C
Registration
N6481U
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
FUEL CONTAMINATION BY WATER DUE TO THE; 1) FAILURE OF THE FUEL CAPS TO PROPERLY SEAL AGAINST WATER INGESTION, 2) THE PILOTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT SUFFICIENT TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL TANKS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INADEQUATE FUEL CAP/WELL DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THE PILOTS REDUCED ABILITY TO VISUALLY SEE AND AVOID THE POWER POLE DUE TO THE PREVAILING LIGHT CONDITIONS.