Fatal NTSB investigations: Mooney M20E
131 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Mooney M20E. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 1964 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1966 | 9 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1968 | 9 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1972 | 4 |
| 1973 | 3 |
| 1974 | 2 |
| 1975 | 4 |
| 1977 | 4 |
| 1978 | 3 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA26FA027Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20E · Ballston Spa, NYOn 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 CEN22LA164Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Kerrville, TXThe pilot’s sudden cardiac event, which resulted in incapacitation, uncontrolled taxi after landing, and collision with a stationary parked airplane.NTSB WPR18FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Marina, CAThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA16FA208Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Collegedale, TNThe 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 WPR15FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Salem, ORThe 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 WPR14FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Julian, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid clouds in mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN13FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Guymon, OKThe 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 CEN13FA183Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Angel Fire, NMThe 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 CEN12FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · San Antonio, TXThe 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 CEN11FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Colorado Springs, COThe 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 WPR09FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Rio Linda, CAA 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 SEA07FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Tonasket, WAThe 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 CHI05LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Bloomfield, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The low altitude was a factor.NTSB CHI04FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney 20E · Webster, WIThe 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 NYC02FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · West Creek, NJThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water-contaminated fuel, and his failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB LAX02FA288Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20E · Carlsbad, CAfailure 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 NYC01WA104Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20E · Saint Mamet, FranceNTSB LAX00FA283Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Jackpot, NVThe pilot inadvertently became lost/disoriented during initial climb and collided with terrain. A related factor was the dark night.NTSB NYC00FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Lunenburg, MAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel supply.NTSB LAX99FA275Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Las Vegas, NVThe 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 DEN99FA071Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Cedar City, UTThe pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations. Factors were the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the obscuring weather conditions.NTSB NYC99LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Brooksville, KYContaminated 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 MIA98FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20E · Pickens, SCA 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 MIA98FA176Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20E · Winston-Salem, NCThe 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 FTW98FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Angel Fire, NMThe 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 SEA96FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Purdy, WAThe 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 LAX96LA001Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Long Beach, CAa loss of engine power for undeternined reasons.NTSB FTW94FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Broomfield, COFatigue 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 MIA94FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Jacksonville, FLFailure 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 DEN93FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Westcliffe, COThe pilot's loss of aircraft control as he attempted to turn away from a line of thunderstorms. Factors were thunderstorms and associated turbulence.NTSB BFO92FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Adamstown, MDFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB LAX91LA309Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Little River, CAThe pilot inadvertently inducing a stall spin condition with insufficient altitude to recover from the spin.NTSB LAX91LA154Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M-20E · Lee Vining, CAThe 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 BFO90FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Charleston, WVThe 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 MIA90WA068Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20F · San Andros, BahamasNTSB FTW89FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Longview, TXThe 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 DEN87FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Vail, COThe 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 LAX87FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Dunsmuir, CADuring 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 CHI87FA040Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Hanna City, ILThe 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 FTW87FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Arcola, TXThe 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 DEN86FAMS3Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportMooney M20F · Cuba, NMThe 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 MKC85FA012Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Carbondale, KSThe 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 CHI84FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Newark, INThe 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 FTW83FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Cushing, OKThe 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 CHI82FA350Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Houghton, MIThe 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 DEN82FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Aspen, COThe 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 ANC81DA107Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney 20 · Missing AircraftNTSB LAX81FA075Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Banning, CANTSB FTW81DA133Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Bayside, TXNTSB FTW80FAMS4Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney 720E · Missing Aircraft