| Crash location | 36.225834°N, 90.036666°W |
| Nearest city | Kennett, MO
36.236176°N, 90.055649°W 1.3 miles away |
| Tail number | N5791U |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 04 Jul 2005 |
| Aircraft type | Mooney M20K |
| Additional details: | None |
On July 4, 2005, at 1600 central daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N5791U, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing. The engine experienced a total loss of power during a visual approach to runway 20 at Kennett Memorial Airport (TKX) , Kennett, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan. The pilot and the two passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Opa Locka Airport (OPF), Miami, Florida, at 1155 eastern daylight time en route to TKX.
The pilot stated that during the approach to TKX, the left fuel gauge indicated 9 gallons and the right fuel gauge indicated 11 gallons. The pilot stated that while on a visual approach to runway 20 (5,000 feet by 75 feet, concrete), the precision approach path indicator light units were indicating two red and two white. About 1/4 mile from the runway and 200-300 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot stated that the left wing contacted trees and impacted terrain about 200 feet from the touchdown zone of runway 20.
Inspection of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the right fuel tank contained less than 6 ounces of fuel and the left fuel tank contained 8.5 gallons of fuel. During the inspection, the left fuel gauge indicated 9 gallons of fuel. The boost pump was in the off position. The fuel tanks and fuel lines were not ruptured.
The fuel starvation, inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot.