# Accident 20260523006839A: Mooney M20J, Woodlake, CA, May 23, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 23, 2026, 10:56 local time
- Place: Woodlake, CA
- Airport: Woodlake
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.3994° N, 119.1185° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3994&lon=-119.1185&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4452H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4452H) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 656 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26FA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA198) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260523006839A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STATIONED AT WOODLAKE AIRPORT UNDERGOING EXTENSIVE AIRFRAME REPAIRS AND AN ENGINE INSPECTION FOLLOWING A GEAR-UP LANDING AND SUDDEN-STOPPAGE PROPELLER STRIKE THAT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 1, 2025. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT ARRIVED WITH A COMPANION TO FLY THE RESTORED AIRCRAFT BACK TO ITS HOME AIRPORT.

DURING THE INITIAL DEPARTURE, THE PILOT CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000 FEET, REPORTED AN OVERHEATING #3 CYLINDER TO HIS COMPANION (WHO WAS FLYING A SEPARATE AIRCRAFT), AND RETURNED TO WOODLAKE AIRPORT. THE PILOT DID NOT PERFORM MECHANICAL TROUBLESHOOTING; INSTEAD, HE ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO COOL AND STATED HIS INTENTION TO DEPART AGAIN WHILE RUNNING THE FUEL MIXTURE "RICH" TO MITIGATE CYLINDER TEMPERATURES.

FOLLOWING THE SECOND DEPARTURE, THE PRIMARY WITNESS OBSERVED THE MOONEY AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET AGL OPERATING AT A LOW AIR SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED, STRUCK POWERLINES, IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND CAUGHT FIRE. EMERGENCY SERVICES (911) WERE NOTIFIED SHORTLY AFTER BY AN UNIDENTIFIED CALLER.

## 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 WPR26FA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA198), May 23, 2026: Mooney M20J (N4452H), Woodlake, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N4452H (3)

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

- [Incident 20251101017299I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251101017299I), Nov 1, 2025: Mooney M20J (N4452H), Woodlake, CA, Minor damage. N4452H flew into O42 Woodlake and was not prepared for the shorter runway. PIC performed a go around to survey the runway. Upon landing, PIC forgot to deploy…
- [Accident 19810423018479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810423018479A), Apr 23, 1981: Mooney M20J (N4452H), Norwalk, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft damaged during forced landing. Engine did not respond to throttle & pilot made emergency landing.
- [Incident 19790811030549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790811030549I), Aug 11, 1979: Mooney M20J (N4452H), Steamboat Sprin, CO, Minor damage. During landing rollout, aircraft struck and killed a deer. Damage to cowling.

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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