# Accident 20200909012829A: Mooney M20R, Weston, FL, September 9, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 9, 2020, 13:45 local time
- Place: Weston, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.1458° N, 80.5208° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1458&lon=-80.5208&mi=10
- Aircraft: N120GX, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N120GX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20R (registry code 5870225, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-550-G (registry code 17213, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20R
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO-550-G
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 462 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA20LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA327) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200909012829A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 0945 EASTERN STANDARD TIME. A MOONEY M20R (N120GX), REGISTERED TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ ON A 14 CFR 91 VFR FLIGHT FROM NAPLES, FL (WING SOUTH AIRPARK FA-37) INBOUND TO FORT LAUDERDALE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (FXE). ABOUT 15 MINUTES FROM FXE, THE PILOT REPORTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER HEARING A LOUD POP WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SPUTTER AND EVENTUALLY SEIZED. PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING ON I-75 ON THE SOUTH BOUND LANE 30 MILES FROM FXE. AIRCRAFT N120GX LANDED SAFELY ON I-75 NEAR MILE MARKER 41 BUT WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK APPROXIMATELY A MINUTE AFTER STOP.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA20LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA327), Sep 9, 2020: Mooney M20R (N120GX), Weston, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power because of the overheating and failure of the connecting rod bearings due to a lack of lubrication for reasons that could not be determined.

## Other reports on N120GX (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20240308015819I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240308015819I), Mar 8, 2024: Mooney M20R (N120GX), Lawrenceville, GA, Minor damage. Pilot with work colleague were flying from khwy to klzu. IFR flight plan was filed but wx was VFR from depart w/ possible IMC at lzu. ATIS approach info @ lzu…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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