ANNISTON, AL, USA
N43NC
MOONEY M20F
JUST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE FUEL TANKS WERE FILLED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DRAINED BOTH TANKS AFTER REFUELING BY USING THE STRAINER PULL HANDLE IN THE COCKPIT WITH THE SELECTOR POSITIONED TO EACH TANK. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT DRAIN THE INDIVIDUAL TANK SUMPS. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE CLIMBED TO 8000 FT & WAS IN NORMAL CRUISE, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TO NEAR ZERO & HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE THE PRESSURE OR START THE ENGINE. WHILE LANDING IN WINDS GUSTING TO 22 KTS, HE CLEARED POWER LINES, BUT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE. NO DISCREPANCIES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND EXCEPT WATER IN SOME LOCATIONS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FLT MANUAL NOTED THAT FREEZING TEMPS WERE COMMON ABOVE 8000 FT & IF ENCOUNTERED, CONDENSED WATER IN THE LINES WOULD FREEZE & CAUSE FUEL STARVATION; THEREFORE, SUMPS SHOULD BE DRAINED BEFORE EACH FLT & AFTER EACH REFUELING. IT ALSO WARNS TO ALLOW 5 MIN FOR WATER & SEDIMENT TO SETTLE IN THE TANKS & FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BEFORE TAKING SAMPLES. TEMP AT 8000 FT APRX 28 DEG.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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