NTSB Factual Report

On August 20, 2017, about 2055 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6833N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airplane was owned and operated by the Mooney 6833 November Corp. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he and the passenger were flying back to FXE from a flight earlier in the day to St Marys Airport (4J6), St Marys, Georgia. They stopped at FIN for fuel. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot noticed that the engine did not seem to be producing full power. During the initial climb, he felt the engine continue to lose power and about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. He told the local air traffic controller that the engine lost all power and was going to land on a road. During touch down, he noticed flames coming into the cockpit around the passenger's feet. He stopped the airplane and both occupants egressed as quickly as possible. The pilot further stated he did not turn off the master switch or boost pump, nor could he get back in the airplane to turn it off as the flames were too intense at that time.

Examination of the wreckage at a salvage yard revealed that the cabin section was consumed by fire. The engine compartment was black from soot but intact. The wings, tail section, and landing gear were intact.

The four-seat, low-wing airplane, was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360 series, 180-horsepower engine, driving a Hartzell two-blade, constant-speed propeller.

The airplane was retained for further examination.