Mooney M20R accident near Sheridan, Arkansas, January 1, 2004
On January 1, 2004 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Mooney M20R, registered N5284C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sheridan, Arkansas (Sheridan Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 1, 2004 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Sheridan, Arkansas · Sheridan Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20R · all M20Rs on the register
- Registration
- N5284C · no longer on the register · serial 29-0079
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft engine lost power 2.5 miles from its destination. Prior to departure the 4,800-hour pilot reported topping-off the fuel tanks with 82 gallons of fuel. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately 25 gallons of fuel, and the left fuel tank was empty. The fuel selector valve was observed to be in the "LEFT" tank position. An engine run was conducted on February 24, 2004, under the supervision of a FAA inspector, who reported finding no anomolies.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,800 hours in all; 1,825 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 19, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,731.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 19, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental IO-550G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ARG Walnut Ridge AR at 8:00 pm
- Destination: BRO Brownsville TX
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft; scat at 900 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from PBF, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.