Morgans wrote:
So he flight planned a trip of some 550 nm without a fuel stop. I don't
know diddly about Mooneys, but iirc, 550 nm is pushing it pretty hard in
most singles, yes? He said he had 49 gallons leaving ABQ, and flew about
5:20. 9.2 gph. Is that about right for a Mooney?


I was able to google the capacity of a m20a at 64 useable gallons. The
problem was that he left with more air in his tanks than he could have, or
tried to run with not enough reserve. Also, he must not have kept track of
his fuel burn, and time aloft. Short and sweet, he screwed up, in a number
of ways, and is lucky to be able to admit it, now.

Jim in NC



Jim;
I'm not sure where you googled a fuel cap of 64 gallons for a m20A. The
specs I found were 35 stand and 52 extended range or another site that
said 48 gallons, which agrees with what I had thought. 75% cruise is
156 knots so it would seem that the flight would have been well within
range. As I recall from the ntsb report the pilot said he had 49 usable
on board at takeoff which would match with the full fuel numbers. I
don't recall what the winds aloft where on the flight but it would seem
reasonable that the flight should have been doable. Also the flight
departed around 1300 and ended at 1720 which is 4:20 by my math. ( I
know you did not supply the 5:20 number )

John