Mooney M20R accident near Ravenna, Ohio, May 10, 2011
On May 10, 2011 at about 9:57 pm local time, a Mooney M20R, registered N9149R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ravenna, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2011 · about 9:57 pm local time
- Place
- Ravenna, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20R · all M20Rs on the register
- Registration
- N9149R · no longer on the register · serial 29-0004
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported that the airplane’s engine lost power while in level flight. The pilot reported that he switched fuel tanks and attempted two engine restarts to no avail. A forced landing was attempted, and the airplane’s right wing struck a tree at the edge of the field. Both the pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported that the flight began with about 70 gallons of fuel on-board. The pilot reported that about 60 gallons remained (30 gallons in each tank) when the power loss occurred. After the accident, the left wing fuel tank was nearly full, and about 40 gallons of the 44.5 gallons of usable fuel was drained from that tank. There was no fuel in the right tank because it was ruptured and the right wing separated. The fuel selector was found positioned to the right fuel tank. A subsequent examination of the airplane, including a thorough inspection of the airplane’s fuel system, was conducted and no pre-impact anomalies were found. A functional test of the engine was performed, and no defects in operation were noted. The most recent fueling of the airplane was performed during the airplane's annual inspection about 2 months prior to the accident when the airplane was filled with the maximum usable fuel. Based on fuel consumption figures obtained from the engine manufacturer the amount of time recorded on the hour meter, and the engine's performance during the postaccident engine run, it is likely that the fuel supply in the right wing fuel tank was exhausted, which led to the loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,045 hours in all; 820 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 979 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 15, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,050 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2011; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AKR Akron OH at 9:30 pm
- Destination: AKR Akron OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 9:58 pm from POV, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.