# Fatal NTSB investigations: Mooney M20E 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. Page 1 of 3 · 131 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA027.md): Mooney M20E · Ballston Spa, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Oct 31, 2025 · N79338 · Destroyed > On October 31, 2025, about 1035 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20E, N79338, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ballston Spa, New York. The pilot was fatally injured, and the flight instructor was seriously injured. The airplane was… - [NTSB CEN22LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA164.md): Mooney M20E · Kerrville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2022 · N21BS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s sudden cardiac event, which resulted in incapacitation, uncontrolled taxi after landing, and collision with a stationary parked airplane. - [NTSB WPR18FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA112.md): Mooney M20E · Marina, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2018 · N213EJ · Destroyed > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. - [NTSB ERA16FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA208.md): Mooney M20E · Collegedale, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 2016 · N7830V · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering after a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB WPR15FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA208.md): Mooney M20E · Salem, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2015 · N5608Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's unstabilized approach and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a porpoise during landing. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during the subsequent aborted landing, which resulted… - [NTSB WPR14FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA012.md): Mooney M20E · Julian, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 2013 · N7145U · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid clouds in mountainous terrain. - [NTSB CEN13FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA217.md): Mooney M20E · Guymon, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2013 · N9330M · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off in deteriorating… - [NTSB CEN13FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA183.md): Mooney M20E · Angel Fire, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 2013 · N3484X · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of control while flying in a turbulent mountain-wave environment. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's overconfidence in his ability to safely pilot the airplane in gusting wind conditions and his lack of experience operating in… - [NTSB CEN12FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA170.md): Mooney M20E · San Antonio, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2012 · N9224M · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadvertent overboost of the turbocharged engine during initial climb, which resulted in detonation and a partial loss of engine power followed by the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the instructor's delayed remedial action, which… - [NTSB CEN11FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA124.md): Mooney M20E · Colorado Springs, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2010 · N79869 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to initiate an approach into weather conditions where the ceiling and visibility were below the minimums for the approach and where reported icing existed, in an airplane not certified for flight in icing conditions, and his failure to… - [NTSB WPR09FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA133.md): Mooney M20E · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 2009 · N3463X · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin. - [NTSB SEA07FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA218.md): Mooney M20E · Tonasket, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2007 · N9302M · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during initial climb following an aborted landing that resulted in a stall/spin. The pilot's misjudged speed and distance that resulted in a failure to attain a proper touchdown point was a factor. - [NTSB CHI05LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA083.md): Mooney M20E · Bloomfield, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 2005 · N6092Q · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The low altitude was a factor. - [NTSB CHI04FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA045.md): Mooney 20E · Webster, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2003 · N1275X · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate decision to conduct a low altitude flight maneuver without sufficient altitude to maintain clearance from the terrain. Low altitude flight and ostentatious display are contributing factors. - [NTSB NYC02FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02FA200.md): Mooney M20E · West Creek, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2002 · N5556Q · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water-contaminated fuel, and his failure to maintain airspeed. - [NTSB LAX02FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA288.md): Mooney M-20E · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2002 · N7199U · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > failure of the pilots of both airplanes to maintain an adequate visual lookout and to see and avoid each other. A contributing factor was the failure of the controller to detect and resolve the conflict between the airplanes. - [NTSB NYC01WA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01WA104.md): Mooney M20E · Saint Mamet, France · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 22, 2001 · N200YS · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX00FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA283.md): Mooney M20E · Jackpot, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2000 · N5853Q · Destroyed > The pilot inadvertently became lost/disoriented during initial climb and collided with terrain. A related factor was the dark night. - [NTSB NYC00FA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA210.md): Mooney M20E · Lunenburg, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2000 · N5727Q · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel supply. - [NTSB LAX99FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA275.md): Mooney M20E · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1999 · N2654W · Substantial damage > The pilot's steep turn at low altitude that resulted in an accelerated stall while in the landing configuration, leading to a loss of control and subsequent ground impact. - [NTSB DEN99FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA071.md): Mooney M20E · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 1999 · N5594Q · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations. Factors were the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the obscuring weather conditions. - [NTSB NYC99LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA093.md): Mooney M20E · Brooksville, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 1999 · N1987Y · Substantial damage > Contaminated fuel which resulted in the forced landing, and a heart attack from an adrenaline rush that interacted with preexisting coronary disease which resulted in the pilot's death. - [NTSB MIA98FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98FA187.md): Mooney M-20E · Pickens, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1998 · N2709W · Destroyed > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot not maintaining adequate clearance with objects (trees) during the emergency landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's impairment associated with the use of an antihistamine and the trees. - [NTSB MIA98FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98FA176.md): Mooney M-20E · Winston-Salem, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 1998 · N9365V · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to conduct a maintenance test flight with a known unairworthy mechanical condition (unserviceable servo fuel injector), resulting in a partial loss of engine power on climb out, subsequent forced landing, and in-flight collision… - [NTSB FTW98FA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA121.md): Mooney M20E · Angel Fire, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 5, 1998 · N9213M · Destroyed > The pilot attempting VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his lack of an instrument rating. Factors were weather conditions that included mountain wave activity conducive to turbulence, and clouds obscuring the mountainous terrain. - [NTSB SEA96FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA175.md): Mooney M20E · Purdy, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1996 · N9360M · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to pilot spatial disorientation and loss of control of the aircraft. Factors were: pilot self-induced pressure, night conditions, low ceilings, and… - [NTSB LAX96LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA001.md): Mooney M20E · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1995 · N79820 · Destroyed > a loss of engine power for undeternined reasons. - [NTSB FTW94FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA141.md): Mooney M20E · Broomfield, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 1, 1994 · N1905Y · Destroyed > Fatigue failure of the engine crankshaft; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to land, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the undesirable engine/propeller… - [NTSB MIA94FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94FA031.md): Mooney M20E · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1993 · N9241V · Substantial damage > Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor related to the accident was: the lack of altitude for recovery from a stall. - [NTSB DEN93FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA063.md): Mooney M20E · Westcliffe, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 26, 1993 · N5741Q · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of aircraft control as he attempted to turn away from a line of thunderstorms. Factors were thunderstorms and associated turbulence. - [NTSB BFO92FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA050.md): Mooney M20E · Adamstown, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 1992 · N3357X · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane. - [NTSB LAX91LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA309.md): Mooney M20 · Little River, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1991 · N999LM · Destroyed > The pilot inadvertently inducing a stall spin condition with insufficient altitude to recover from the spin. - [NTSB LAX91LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA154.md): Mooney M-20E · Lee Vining, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1991 · N1941Y · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude to clear mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue due to a lengthy cross country flight. - [NTSB BFO90FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA057.md): Mooney M20E · Charleston, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 1990 · N3260F · Destroyed > The pilot's improper IFR procedures, his failure to maintain a proper glide path on the ILS approach, and his failure to initiate a missed approach at the decision height. The adverse weather was a related factor. - [NTSB MIA90WA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90WA068.md): Mooney M20F · San Andros, Bahamas · Accident · 5 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 7, 1990 · N9370M · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW89FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA006.md): Mooney M20E · Longview, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 1988 · N79373 · Destroyed > The airplane was in cruise flight when the pilot transmitted that he had smoke in the cockpit. 53 seconds later contact was lost. The nose and left wing were slightly down when the acft struck trees and terrain at high speed. Fire started several minutes… - [NTSB DEN87FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA186.md): Mooney M20E · Vail, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1987 · N71SB · Destroyed > The pilot proceeded up a box canyon while on a cross-country flight. When unable to out climb terrain, the pilot attempted to reverse direction. During the turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed into trees. The pilot had not received instruction in mountain… - [NTSB LAX87FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA101.md): Mooney M20E · Dunsmuir, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 1987 · N79366 · Destroyed > During a pleasure flight, the airplane was seen flying low and disappeared into instrument meteorological conditions, consisting of low clouds, gusty winds and snow which lasted throughout the day. The airplane was found on the side of a hill in a descending… - [NTSB CHI87FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA040.md): Mooney M20E · Hanna City, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1986 · N9210M · Destroyed > The aircraft struck power lines and crashed two miles from the end of the runway on final approach ground track after being cleared for an ILS approach. The accident occurred at the end of a three leg cross-country flight from the Bahamas which began aprx 8… - [NTSB FTW87FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA021.md): Mooney M20E · Arcola, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1986 · N9347M · Destroyed > The plt departed Arcola, TX, VFR, on rwy 10, made a 180 degree left climbing turn and entered clouds at about the boundary line on the west side of the arpt. The radar operator stated the acft continued westbound one to two miles beyond the arpt then entered… - [NTSB DEN86FAMS3](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FAMS3.md): Mooney M20F · Cuba, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Sep 9, 1986 · N2688W · Destroyed > The acft departed a private airstrip in Cuba, NM, for the purpose of viewing real estate property before continuing to taos. State authorities were notified the following day when the plt failed to arrive at work. A search for the acft was conducted until… - [NTSB MKC85FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA012.md): Mooney M20E · Carbondale, KS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1984 · N79846 · Destroyed > The flt was en route from little rock, AR, to topeka, ka. Ten miles south of topeka's frobes field the plt requested wx info and was told that a current observation was being taken & he would be advised. Contact between the tower and the flt could not be… - [NTSB CHI84FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA027.md): Mooney M20E · Newark, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1983 · N7144U · Destroyed > The acft had been recently purchased by the plt & this was the 2nd leg of a 3 leg trip which had originally departed hickory, NC. Two witnesses located about 5 mi sse of the accident site observed the acft. One witness stated the visibility was less than 1 mi… - [NTSB FTW83FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA079.md): Mooney M20E · Cushing, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 1983 · N7778M · Destroyed > The acft collided with a powerline during a low flt down a river. The acft impacted 3 high tension cables spanning the river. Witnesses said the acft was flying low and fast. The collision produced a sound 'like a gunshot' and the acft fell to the ground and… - [NTSB CHI82FA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA350.md): Mooney M20E · Houghton, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1982 · N5518Q · Destroyed > The acft crashed into trees while making an ILS approach to Houghton county memorial arpt, hancock, MI. The weather was IMC and an IFR flt plan had been filed. The two occupants were held in the acft by seat belts and were fatally injured in the crash and… - [NTSB DEN82FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA039.md): Mooney M20E · Aspen, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 1982 · N5755Q · Substantial damage > The aircraft collided with a tree on top of a 12,000 foot mountain after it had departed Aspen, en route to denver. The aircraft should have climbed over the mountain without problems. The pilot only remembers the airspeed decaying and lowering full flaps… - [NTSB ANC81DA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA107.md): Mooney 20 · Missing Aircraft · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 28, 1981 · N9409V · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX81FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA075.md): Mooney M20E · Banning, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 18, 1981 · N6947U · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW81DA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DA133.md): Mooney M20E · Bayside, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Mar 16, 1980 · N7135U · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW80FAMS4](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FAMS4.md): Mooney 720E · Missing Aircraft · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Mar 16, 1980 · N7135U · Destroyed Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=5870212&fatal=1&page=2 ## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('5870212')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=5870212 --- 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.