Off-Field landing

The pilot was on the way to IYK [Inyokern] CA.

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On December 1, 2005, about 1720 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20A,
N6004X, made a hard landing on a road near China Lake, California, following
a loss of engine power. The pilot was operating the airplane under the
provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained
minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country
personal flight departed Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1300, with a planned
destination of Inyokern, California. Visual meteorological conditions
prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the
pilot stated that he departed Dodge City, Kansas, earlier in the day with a
planned refueling stop in Albuquerque. The pilot reported that he had 49
gallons of fuel on board when he departed Albuquerque. After departing
Albuquerque there were no discrepancies noted with the flight. About 1640,
the pilot noticed a problem with his fuel pressure, and readjusted the
throttle to attain best fuel efficiency. He contacted Joshua Approach
Control, and reported "low fuel." The controller recommended the Trona,
California, airport (L72) as an alternate landing site.

He stated that as he manuevered for landing at L72, he encountered "extreme
turbulence." The weather information the pilot had for L72 indicated to him
the crosswinds would exceed "the capabailities of the Mooney." The airplane
lost power about 1 minute after crossing over Highway 178. The pilot
switched fuel tanks and the engine restarted for about 20 seconds, then quit
again. He chose to land on the highway instead of trying to make L72. The
pilot stated that the section of highway 178 he was landing on was in Poison
Canyon, where the road was not flat or straight. The pilot stated that in
the darkness he was unable to see the rising road before he impacted the
terrain. The airplane hit the ground and came to rest in between the road
and a ditch. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical
failures or malfunctions during the flight.

==================== ed notes ==========

The winds were allegedly 20024G36.

A very lucky chap to walk away from this!