# NTSB investigations: Mooney M20C: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA320.md): Mooney M20C · Mount Hood, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 31, 2026 · N2783W · Substantial damage
  > On August 31, 2026, about 1131 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2783W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB ERA24LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA086.md): Mooney M20C · Morganton, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 22, 2023 · N5954Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with the runway’s precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights.
- [NTSB ERA23LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA120.md): Mooney M20C · Calhoun, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 28, 2023 · N5587Q · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to an improperly installed spark plug.
- [NTSB WPR22LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA243.md): Mooney M20C · Oxnard, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N6416U · Substantial damage
  > Fuel starvation due to an inappropriately maintained and modified fuel selector valve.
- [NTSB ERA21LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA199.md): Mooney M20C · Warwick, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 29, 2021 · N6448U · Substantial damage
  > A loose stand-off clamp which resulted in a throttle assembly malfunction, and the inability of the engine to produce full power during the attempted takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA170.md): Mooney M20C · College Park, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 3, 2021 · N2953L · Substantial damage
  > Improper maintenance of the airplane by its owners and their failure to have qualified maintenance personnel determine the root cause of water infiltration into the fuel system. Also causal was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to…
- [NTSB WPR20CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA276.md): Mooney M20C · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2020 · N2933L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude on short final due to an encounter with a down draft and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB ERA20CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA205.md): Mooney M20C · Durham, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 2, 2020 · N2768W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall..
- [NTSB ERA20LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA123.md): Mooney M20C · McIntyre, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 7, 2020 · N9281M · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB CEN20FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA034.md): Mooney M20C · Flower Pot, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2019 · N5557Q · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing was…
- [NTSB WPR19LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA243.md): Mooney M20C · Reno, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 26, 2019 · N78988 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper inflight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA19FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA130.md): Mooney M20C · Cashiers, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2019 · N6075Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments.
- [NTSB CEN19FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA032.md): Mooney M20C · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2018 · N113TA · Destroyed
  > Collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor preflight planning and poor decision to depart on the accident flight.
- [NTSB ERA19TA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA042.md): Mooney M20C · Wildwood, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Nov 10, 2018 · N78870 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to initiate a 180° turn following the loss of power.
- [NTSB ERA19FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA023.md): Mooney M20C · Woodbine, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 23, 2018 · N9667M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and the airplane experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA18FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA030.md): Mooney M20C · Starke, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2017 · N6894N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing was the pilot's lack of instrument currency and his self-induced pressure to complete the flight.
- [NTSB GAA18CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA004.md): Mooney M20 · Topping, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 7, 2017 · N7884V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a departure stall.
- [NTSB ERA17FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA327.md): Mooney M20C · North Branford, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N53CP · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of foreign object debris in the fuel selector valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of a low cruising altitude, which reduced the available time to troubleshoot the loss…
- [NTSB CEN17LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA101.md): Mooney M20C · Ellendale, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 2017 · N9149V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incapacitation from carbon monoxide poisoning in flight due to cracks in the exhaust muffler, which resulted in the airplane’s continued flight until it ran out of fuel and its subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA276.md): Mooney M20C · Williamstown, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2016 · N6453U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's landing area overshoot and failure to maintain surface speed and braking capability, which resulted in a runway overrun and a collision with a fence.
- [NTSB CEN16LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA164.md): Mooney M20C · Sand Springs, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2016 · N6870N · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB CEN16LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA129.md): Mooney M20C · Wichita, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 2016 · N9262M · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot's improper fuel management.
- [NTSB ERA16LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA126.md): Mooney M20 · Pottstown, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2016 · N242TS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination and a subsequent off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA15LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA190.md): Mooney M20C · Winchester, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 2015 · N9680M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate weight and balance and performance planning, including his decision to take off with more passengers than permitted, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an…
- [NTSB ERA15FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA049.md): Mooney M20C · Lewisburg, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2014 · N6581U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident were abnormal engine operation due to improper…
- [NTSB ERA14CA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA104.md): Mooney M20C · Rutherfordton, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 26, 2014 · N6762U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and in-flight monitoring of the fuel level which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR13FA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA335.md): Mooney M20C · South Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2013 · N6709U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to turn into rising terrain that would have required performance in excess of the airplane’s maximum climb rate to clear after taking off at a high density altitude.
- [NTSB ERA12LA532](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA532.md): Mooney M20C · East Hampton, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2012 · N557M · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB ERA12CA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA348.md): Mooney M20C · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2012 · N2610W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN11LA636](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA636.md): Mooney M20C · Kokomo, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2011 · N9266M · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power following takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR11FA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA335.md): Mooney M20C · Grace, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2011 · N6855N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR10LA465](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA465.md): Mooney M20C · Visalia, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2010 · N6090Q · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during takeoff, which resulted from the failure of the spark plug retention mechanism.
- [NTSB ERA10LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA047.md): Mooney M20C · Fairview, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2009 · N6896U · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning.
- [NTSB WPR09LA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA362.md): Mooney M20C · Elma, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2009 · N6422U · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the fatigue failure of the number 4 cylinder connecting rod.
- [NTSB CEN09FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA147.md): Mooney M20C · Elbert, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2009 · N7774M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB MIA08LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA188.md): Mooney M20C · Wallace, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2008 · N21MY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when the engine failed to develop full power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to remove the intake plugs prior to takeoff.
- [NTSB NYC08FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA298.md): Mooney M20C · Lawrenceburg, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2008 · N6480U · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB DFW08CA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA180.md): Mooney M20 · Rogers, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2008 · N7072V · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision.
- [NTSB LAX08FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA068.md): Mooney M20C · Riverside, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 2008 · N591BB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and aircraft control, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('5870208')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '470' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence?model=5870208

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.