How many accidents has the Mooney M20 had?

The NTSB has recorded 1232 events involving the Mooney M20: 353 fatal, 137 serious, 193 minor injuries, and 546 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Mooney M20 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Mooney M20 has 1232 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Mooney M20 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1232 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

1232

All Events

546

Incidents

193

Minor

137

Serious

353

Fatal (633 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Feb 06, 2001	PECKVILLE, PA	N1914Y	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jan 01, 2001	Port Huron, MI	N2184N	Incident	substantial	The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane and the runway selected resulted in a tailwind condition. Factors associated with t… The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane and the runway selected resulted in a tailwind condition. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind and the snow bank.
Nov 27, 2000	FORT MYERS, FL	N9198V	Incident	substantial	Fuel system contamination that resulted in fuel starvation.
Oct 06, 2000	MONROE, WA	N52202	Incident	substantial	Oil Pump drive gear shaft separated in shear. A collision with a tree stump during the landing roll was a factor.
Sep 10, 2000	OWASSO, OK	N866B	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Sep 09, 2000	HAILEY, ID	N1024Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A crosswind condition was a factor.
Aug 03, 2000	ALBUQUERQUE, NM	N6927U	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion and the pilot's failure the refuel the airplane. Factors were the road signs.
Jul 29, 2000	CANON CITY, CO	N5775Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in a wheels up landing.
Jul 24, 2000	ERIE, CO	N5549Q	Incident	substantial	Failure by the pilot to follow procedures and lower the landing gear.
Jul 22, 2000	LONGMONT, CO	N6253U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel tank selector position resulting in fuel starvation and the ditch impacted during the landing roll. A contributing factor w… The pilot's improper fuel tank selector position resulting in fuel starvation and the ditch impacted during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to follow published procedures and directives.
Jul 13, 2000	ESPANOLA, NM	N201DK	Incident	substantial	The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. A factor was a complete loss of power due to mechanical failure.
Jun 28, 2000	TALIHINA, OK	N22166	Incident	substantial	the partial loss of engine power on takeoff, which resulted from incorrect adjustment of the fuel injector system by maintenance personnel.
Jun 08, 2000	Baker, CA	N31M	Incident	substantial	The fuel flow became restricted by remnants of fuel tank sealant that had accumulated in the fuel selector screen. Contributing to the pilot's inabil… The fuel flow became restricted by remnants of fuel tank sealant that had accumulated in the fuel selector screen. Contributing to the pilot's inability to restart the engine in flight was the empty fuel tank in the left wing and the fuel gauge indication. The constrained landing area was also a factor.
May 11, 2000	BRYSON CITY, NC	N6998U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing rollout with a known quartering crosswind, resulting in an on-ground collision with a k… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing rollout with a known quartering crosswind, resulting in an on-ground collision with a known fixed object (wooden pallet.)
Apr 05, 2000	HOUSTON, TX	N8159E	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delayed go-around and his failure to maintain the aircraft's clearance with trees.
Jan 21, 2000	MONTPELIER, VT	N223KT	Incident	substantial	A blocked crankcase breather line due to ice and improper maintenance which resulted in further restricting the line. A factor in this accident was th… A blocked crankcase breather line due to ice and improper maintenance which resulted in further restricting the line. A factor in this accident was the below freezing outside air temperature.
Jan 19, 2000	TYLER, TX	N1157G	Incident	substantial	The failure of the crankshaft drive gear as a result of fatigue, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for th… The failure of the crankshaft drive gear as a result of fatigue, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Sep 09, 1999	EDNA, TX	N5586Q	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jul 30, 1999	MOUNT PLEASANT, TX	N91FH	Incident	substantial	The separation of the fuel line fitting as a result of fatigue. A factors was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Jul 26, 1999	HAYWARD, WI	N74523	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the surface of the lake. Factors associated with the accident were the low level flight, dusk light co… the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the surface of the lake. Factors associated with the accident were the low level flight, dusk light conditions, and the glassy water.
Jul 04, 1999	HARBOR SPRINGS, MI	N201HG	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors associated with the accident… the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty winds, wind shear, and the trees.
Jul 03, 1999	BIG PINEY, WY	N6253U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing touchdown. A related factor was the gusty crosswind.
Jun 29, 1999	LIBERTY, NC	N7114V	Incident	substantial	Improper inspection of the muffler assembly resulting in erosion going undetected and the rupture of the muffler and shroud while in cruise flight. Th… Improper inspection of the muffler assembly resulting in erosion going undetected and the rupture of the muffler and shroud while in cruise flight. The condition caused melting of portions of the air induction system, loss of engine power, and the pilot's attempted forced landing that resulted in collision with terrain that sheared one main landing gear and fractured the wheel of the other main landing gear. A factor in the accident was the pilot's obscured vision due to smoke in the cockpit.
Jun 05, 1999	FR	FGJGN	Incident	—	Investigation pending
May 28, 1999	RAVENNA, OH	N496DE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, and his failure to maintain directional control after touchdown.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Mooney M20 Safety Record

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