# Fatal NTSB investigations: Mooney M20F 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 · 103 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN26FA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA310.md): Mooney M20F · Titusville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 7, 2026 · N9546M · Substantial damage > On September 7, 2026, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20F airplane, N9546M, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Titusville, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal… - [NTSB ERA25FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA230.md): Mooney M20F · Beverly, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 19, 2025 · N9573M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to return to the airport which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the improperly installed No. 2 cylinder bottom spark plug by maintenance personnel,… - [NTSB WPR25FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA126.md): Mooney M20F · Reliance, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Apr 11, 2025 · N7026V · Substantial damage > On April 11, 2025, about 1402 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N7026V, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Reliance, Tennessee. The pilot, pilot-rated passenger and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was… - [NTSB ERA22FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA050.md): Mooney M20F · Villa Rica, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 8, 2021 · N3284F · 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 and spin. - [NTSB WPR19FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA083.md): Mooney M20F · Diablo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 9, 2019 · N3270F · Destroyed > The student pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility night conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ERA15FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA144.md): Mooney M20F · Norfolk, VA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 2015 · N66BB · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly execute the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight planning and his decision to conduct the flight in instrument meteorological conditions at night into forecast moderate… - [NTSB CEN15FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA030.md): Mooney M20 · Boulder, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2014 · N3539X · Substantial damage > The loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined by the postaccident examination, which was limited due to impact damage and postcrash fire. - [NTSB ERA14FA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA345.md): Mooney M20F · North Elba, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2014 · N6467Q · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed for the airplane’s configuration and flight profile, which resulted in an exceedance of the wing’s critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin. - [NTSB WPR13FA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA312.md): Mooney M20F · Yosemite Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2012 · N9524M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain situational awareness and sufficient altitude to clear mountainous terrain. - [NTSB WPR11FA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA331.md): Mooney M20F · Winslow, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2011 · N3534X · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control. - [NTSB WPR11FA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA316.md): Mooney M20F · Watsonville, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2011 · N7759M · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to take off toward a nearby low cloud layer and the subsequent turn, stall, and spin during the pilot’s attempt to avoid the cloud layer. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to avoid the stall. His ability to avoid the… - [NTSB ERA11FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA055.md): Mooney M20F · Copake, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2010 · N6878V · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to monitor and maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during a visual descent to the destination airport at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB NYC07FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA159.md): Mooney M20F · Brooks, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2007 · N9180V · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. - [NTSB CHI07FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA048.md): Mooney M-20F · Mt. Gilead, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2006 · N9596M · Substantial damage > Both the pilot-in-command/aircraft owner and the flight instructor failed to recover from the stall and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to maintain stall speed which resulted in the… - [NTSB NYC07FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA003.md): Mooney M20F · Brownsville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 2006 · N3447N · Substantial damage > A loss of aircraft control, for unknown reasons, while maneuvering. - [NTSB ATL04FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA061.md): Mooney 20F · Campobello, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 2003 · N2996L · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and a collision with trees and the ground during an uncontrolled descent. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight… - [NTSB IAD00FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00FA079.md): Mooney M20F · Jonestown, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2000 · N9436V · Destroyed > The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in a collision with transmission wires. Factors in the accident were the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a landing with a 14-knot tailwind, and his use of an unapproved pain medication. - [NTSB CHI99FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99FA101.md): Mooney M20F · Cabool, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 1999 · N9381M · Destroyed > The pilot not maintaining an appropriate airspeed during the turn from base to final resulting in a stall. - [NTSB FTW98FA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA378.md): Mooney M20F · Fort Collins, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 1998 · N377X · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush due to his excessive angle of bank during his traffic pattern turn to base. Factors were the pilot's improper downwind altitude, the pilot not properly setting his Kollsman Window in his altimeter, and the high density… - [NTSB SEA98FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA062.md): Mooney M20F · Lodgepole, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1998 · N9131V · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain after flying into an area of known adverse weather. Factors include low ceilings, fog, snow showers, drizzle, and trees along his intended route. - [NTSB MIA97FA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA242.md): Mooney M20F · Coral Springs, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1997 · N6417Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's misjudging the distance vs. altitude resulting in the collision with the water short of the intended touchdown point of the rough field. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 3 cylinder… - [NTSB ATL97FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97FA115.md): Mooney M20F · Tallahassee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1997 · N3455X · Destroyed > fatigue failure of the crankshaft for undetermined reasons. Related factors were: darkness, and obstructions (trees) in the emergency landing area. - [NTSB IAD97LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA031.md): Mooney M20F · Wellsville, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1996 · N3424N · Destroyed > Descent below the published minimum descent altitude followed by collision with the surrounding terrain. - [NTSB IAD96LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA109.md): Mooney M20F · Cape Charles, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 1996 · N9199V · Destroyed > The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision making by continuing flight into known adverse weather conditions. Related factors were the dark night and the winter storm (snow and fog). - [NTSB FTW95FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA359.md): Mooney M20F · Red Cliff, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 1995 · N3768N · Destroyed > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight crew, and their failure to maintain sufficient airspeed over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: high density… - [NTSB MIA95FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95FA175.md): Mooney M20F · Cedar Key, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 1995 · N6941V · Destroyed > Continued flight by the pilot into known adverse weather (vip level three thunderstorm). The thunderstorm was a related factor. - [NTSB SEA92FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA101.md): Mooney M20F · Glendive, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 1992 · N2920L · Destroyed > An excessive rate of descent, and the pilot's overconfidence in himself and the aircraft. - [NTSB LAX91FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA190.md): Mooney M20F · Quincy, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 2, 1991 · N9624M · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC and thereafter his failure to maintain directional control of his airplane. Factors which contributed to the accident related to the pilot's improper weather evaluation which resulted in his delayed emergency procedure,… - [NTSB ATL91FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA020.md): Mooney M20F · Pageland, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 1991 · N6858V · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: the weather conditions and the malfunction of a gyro instrument (probably the attitude indicator). - [NTSB FTW90DPJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ04.md): Mooney M20F · Bethany, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Apr 3, 1990 · N3514X · Destroyed > Loss of control in flight when the pilot stalled and spun the airplane inadvertently while turning to the base leg. A factor was lack of night flying time. - [NTSB LAX90FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA092.md): Mooney M20F · Galt, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 1990 · N4093N · Destroyed > The pilot flew into instrument condition, because spatially disorientated and collided with terrain. Factor was foggy weather conditions. - [NTSB MKC89FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA179.md): Mooney M20F · Mound City, KS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1989 · N6960V · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into an area of thunderstorms & heavy rain which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane. Factors related to the accident were thunderstorms and heavy rain. - [NTSB ATL89FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA131.md): Mooney M20F · Lynch, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 15, 1989 · N9252V · Destroyed > Continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, terrain, and the pilot's lack of instrument experience. - [NTSB LAX89FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA133.md): Mooney M20F · San Andreas, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 1989 · N9379M · Destroyed > Interruption of engine power for an undetermined reason, and failue of the pilot to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin. A factor related to the accident was: lack of altitude to recover from the stall/spin. - [NTSB LAX89FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA095.md): Mooney M20F · Truckee, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 26, 1989 · N3274F · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to fly with a known deficiency of the aircraft, the worn fuel injector with an interior leak, which resulted in loss of engine power, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. - [NTSB DEN88FA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA193.md): Mooney M20F · Jackson Hole, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 1988 · N9528M · Destroyed > The pvt plt obtained his instrument rating 14 days prior to the accident. 12 hrs of actual instrument flt time was logged in March of 1987. The remaining instrument flt time was simulated. Visibility in the Jackson Hole area was reduced by smoke. The plt… - [NTSB ATL88FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA174.md): Mooney M20F · Middlesboro, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 1988 · N9654M · Substantial damage > Witnesses rprted the eng did not sound like it was providing full power drg takeoff & that abt 3/4 of the 3600' rwy was used for the takeoff roll. After lift-off, the acft climbed at a shallow angle to abt 250 to 300 ft AGL. It then entereda shallow left… - [NTSB DEN87FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA167.md): Mooney M20F · Mitchell, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1987 · N6933V · Destroyed > This non-licensed plt made an unauthorized flt at night. The acft crashed one half mile north of the arpt. The occupant of the acft was fatally injured. No records of the plt's flt experience was found. - [NTSB BFO86FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA050.md): Mooney M20F · Leesburg, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1986 · N6443Q · Destroyed > Drg arrival, the plt was clrd for a VOR rwy 35 apch. Also, he was advised that there were problems with the rwy lights &that other plts had made missed apchs that evening due to dim arpt lighting. He was then clrd to UNICOM freq & told to cancel his IFR clnc… - [NTSB LAX86FA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA206.md): Mooney M20F · Morgan Hill, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 1986 · N9309V · Destroyed > The pilot requested and received preflight weather briefings, twice, and was advised that VFR flight was not recommended. The flight departed and crashed into mountainous terrain that was obscured by adverse weather conditions. Witnesses reported that the… - [NTSB DEN85FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA097.md): Mooney M20F · Deming, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 1985 · N7414V · Destroyed > During preflt & inflt wx briefings, the plt was advised that mountains along his route were obscured by clouds & precip. Also, he was cautioned about moderate icing in clouds & precip at or above the freezing lvl. While en route, the plt obtained clearance to… - [NTSB ATL84FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA075.md): Mooney M20F · Clemson, SC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 1983 · N7076V · Destroyed > The acft crashed in a wooded area about 15 miles from its destination but about 16 miles north of a straight line between gainesville, ga and anderson, SC. One witness about 5 miles from the site saw an acft just before the time of the crash flying at about… - [NTSB FTW84FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA100.md): Mooney M20F · Ada, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1983 · N7165V · Minor damage > The eng lost power shortly after takeoff & the acft stalled while in a slight left turn. Examination revealed that the left wing fuel sump drain contained frozen water in the drain ports. The fuel injector screen, after thawing out, contained frozen water… - [NTSB ATL82FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA086.md): Mooney M20F · Mchenry, MD · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1982 · N6896V · Destroyed > At 0635 the plt received a wx briefing which included forecasted icing conditions along his route of flt. At 1215 received an updated briefing & was informed that IMC existed along his route of flt & VFR flt was not recommended. At 1536 he called & received… - [NTSB MKC82FCQ08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCQ08.md): Mooney M20F · Cedar Vale, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jan 19, 1982 · N7761M · Destroyed > While landing on the previous flight, the propeller was damaged when it struck an electric fence. After the propeller was repaired, the pilot elected to takeoff at night. A mechanic stated that the pilot had removed all frost before takeoff. Witnesses stated… - [NTSB MIA82FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FA015.md): Mooney M20F · Richmond, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 1, 1981 · N7439V · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN82FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA010.md): Mooney M-21 · La Veta, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 24, 1981 · N9777M · Destroyed - [NTSB CHI81FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA103.md): Mooney M20F · Detroit, MI · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 18, 1981 · N7410V · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW81FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA126.md): Mooney M20F · Muleshoe, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 22, 1981 · N3464N · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA81FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA054.md): Mooney M20F · San Juan, PR · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Mar 21, 1981 · N712CS · Destroyed Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=5870214&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 ('5870214')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=5870214 --- 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.