# Accident 20260515006559A: Mooney M20J, Morris, IL, May 15, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 15, 2026, 18:10 local time
- Place: Morris, IL
- Airport: Morris Municipal - James R Washburn
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.4363° N, 88.4190° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4363&lon=-88.4190&mi=10
- Aircraft: N201QM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201QM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20J (registry code 5870219, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,996 total, 4,824 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA189) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260515006559A

## Narrative

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

ON MAY 15, 2026, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 PM LOCAL TIME, A COMMERCIAL PILOT OPERATING A MOONEY M20J DEPARTED MORRIS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT C09, FOR A LOCAL RECREATIONAL FLIGHT. THERE WERE NO OTHER PERSONS ON BOARD. WHEN THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT, HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PRAIRIE APPROXIMATELY 0.25 MILES NORTH OF C09 AIRPORT. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT FUELED THE PLANE PROPERLY AND DID NOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS. THE AIRCRAT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PROP AND WINGS. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## 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 CEN26LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA189), May 15, 2026: Mooney M20J (N201QM), Morris, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N201QM (2)

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

- [Incident 20220930016079I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220930016079I), Sep 30, 2022: Mooney M20J (N201QM), Knox, IN, Minor damage. On September 30, 2022, [privacy data omitted] was the pilot in command (PIC) of[privacy data omitted] during a full stop landing on runway 36 at Starke County…
- [Incident 19901212064809I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901212064809I), Dec 12, 1990: Mooney M20J (N201QM), Monroe, NC, Minor damage. Gear collapsed on rollout. Gear motor sheared at drive connection.

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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