N78870Mooney M20C · 1964

On November 10, 2018, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20C, N78870, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wildwood, New Jersey. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, the left fuel tank contained about 21 gallons of fuel, and the right fuel tank contained about 3 gallons. He used the right fuel tank for engine startup, taxi, runup and takeoff.

A video recorded by a witness captured most of the flight. The airplane took off from runway 28, which was 4,998 ft long. About 7 seconds after liftoff, the landing gear were in the fully retracted position. About 15 seconds after liftoff, at an altitude of about 150 ft above ground level, the engine began to “sputter” and then stopped. About 21 seconds after liftoff, while still over the runway and with about 1,700 ft of runway remaining, the airplane began a descending 180° turn to the right and impacted a drainage ditch left of runway 10.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the outboard 3 ft of the right wing, as well as the left horizontal stabilizer and the left elevator. No fuel was found in the right-wing fuel tank, and about 20 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left-wing fuel tank. The fuel selector valve was found in the left fuel tank position.

The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was 14 months before the accident. According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate. His most recent FAA third-class medical examination was performed on June 3, 2016, at which time he reported 900 hours of total flight experience.