Mooney M20J accident near Canadaigua, New York, September 16, 2002
On September 16, 2002 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N201ZC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Canadaigua, New York (Canadaigue airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 16, 2002 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Canadaigua, New York · Canadaigue · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N201ZC · no longer on the register · serial 24-0674
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot fueled the airplane outside, in the rain. The airplane then remained parked outside, overnight, in the rain. The pilot stated that the following morning he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane. The pilot added that during the inspection, he shook the wings, drained both fuel tanks, and did not observe any water in the fuel. He started the engine, and waited for approximately 15 minutes. The pilot then taxied to runway 31, performed a run-up, and did not observe any discrepancies. He initiated a takeoff roll on a 3,200-foot long runway, with the fuel selector positioned to the left tank. After retracting the landing gear, the pilot noticed the first indication of a power loss. The engine began to surge and the airplane settled. The pilot subsequently performed a gear-up forced landing to a field at the end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed water in the left fuel tank and fuel manifold. The reported rainfall, at a nearby airport during a 4-hour period the previous night, was 1.5 inches.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,179 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,161 as pilot in command; 187 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,512 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2002; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: D38 Canadaigua NY at 1:45 pm
- Destination: NONE Lake Villa IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 3,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 9,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from ROC, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.