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
Sep 20, 1997	BROOMFIELD, CO	N9140Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's flaring of the airplane prematurely at a low airspeed that resulted in a hard landing, and an inadvertent stall during the attempted go-ar… The pilot's flaring of the airplane prematurely at a low airspeed that resulted in a hard landing, and an inadvertent stall during the attempted go-around and subsequent loss of control.
Sep 05, 1997	GULF OF CA, PO	N9217V	Incident	destroyed	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aug 08, 1997	LAKEPORT, CA	N321RM	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to a tank containing fuel, which resulted in fuel starvati… the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to a tank containing fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation, and a forced landing shortly after takeoff.
May 20, 1997	WHEELING, IL	N6950V	Incident	substantial	binding of the number four exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial power loss. A factor was the ravine.
May 17, 1997	MADISONVILLE, KY	N321JL	Incident	substantial	Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, and inadequate supervision of the CFI, which resulted in a stall and subsequent hard landing.
Jan 09, 1997	VAN NUYS, CA	N305NH	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing rollout.
Dec 26, 1996	DAYTONA BEACH, FL	N737JC	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel consumption calculations, and the excessive flow of the fuel injector servo, that combined to result in fuel exh… The pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel consumption calculations, and the excessive flow of the fuel injector servo, that combined to result in fuel exhaustion.
Sep 21, 1996	ISLIP, NY	N3375X	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in an emergency/wheels-up landing.
Aug 15, 1996	HANOVER, PA	N9103V	Incident	substantial	the pilot's delay in aborting the landing. Factors related to the accident were: the lack of braking action on the wet grass runway, the pilot's lack… the pilot's delay in aborting the landing. Factors related to the accident were: the lack of braking action on the wet grass runway, the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane, and the sign near the departure end of the runway.
Jul 10, 1996	HARTFORD, CT	N1085W	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the approach to landing/landing roll. A related factor is the pilot's inadequate remedial actio… the pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the approach to landing/landing roll. A related factor is the pilot's inadequate remedial action (attempted go-around).
Jul 08, 1996	PAYSON, AZ	N6715N	Incident	substantial	animals on the runway. A factor was the dark night.
Jul 01, 1996	RIO LINDA, CA	N3229F	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to attain/maintain the proper approach airspeed, his failure to attain the proper runway touchdown point, and his failure to initi… The pilot's failure to attain/maintain the proper approach airspeed, his failure to attain the proper runway touchdown point, and his failure to initiate a go-around when a landing overshoot became apparent. A factor in the accident was the airport management's failure to ensure that the overrun area was clear of potential fire hazards.
May 31, 1996	FESTUS, MO	N9532M	Incident	substantial	the pilot's not maintaining proper alignment with the runway and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind conditio… the pilot's not maintaining proper alignment with the runway and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Apr 28, 1996	CULLOWHEE, NC	N5635Q	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty/crosswind condition was a related factor.
Feb 10, 1996	ALPINE, TX	N9167J	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a misjudged landing flare resulting in a hard landing.
Oct 22, 1995	SHADY SIDE, MD	N5744Q	Incident	substantial	the partial loss of engine power due to a leaking fuel line.
Oct 13, 1995	DALTON, GA	N3983H	Incident	substantial	Oil starvation for an unknown reason, which resulted in progressive connecting rod failure and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors relating to th… Oil starvation for an unknown reason, which resulted in progressive connecting rod failure and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavoable weather and light conditions (low ceiling and fog at dusk), which hampered the pilot in seeing the runway during the forced landing.
Sep 15, 1995	JONESTOWN, PA	N5688M	Incident	destroyed	the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around.
Sep 02, 1995	IRONWOOD, MI	N7171U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to his diverted attention.
Aug 22, 1995	ROUNDUP, MT	N1154L	Incident	substantial	an engine failure due to foreign object ingestion into the oil pump. A ruptured oil inlet screen contributed to the accident.
Aug 11, 1995	ROCK SPRINGS, WY	N8378E	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS INCLUDE THE UNEVEN RUNWAY CONDITION, THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CROWNED CONDITION … THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS INCLUDE THE UNEVEN RUNWAY CONDITION, THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CROWNED CONDITION NOT BEING DISSEMINATED BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL, AND THE INADEQUATE REVIEW/INSPECTION OF THE CONDITION BY FAA AIRPORT PERSONNEL.
Aug 09, 1995	MONTGOMERY, PA	N9216V	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power, as a result of an excessively rich fuel flow in the carburetor, and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating… The partial loss of engine power, as a result of an excessively rich fuel flow in the carburetor, and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating to the accident was the malfunction of the landing gear.
Jul 12, 1995	RIGBY, ID	N3936N	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A FACTOR.
Jul 11, 1995	BELMAR, NJ	N43JA	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's (1) misjudged flare (2) inadequate recovery from a bounced landing (3) failure to maintain directional control and the certified f… The student pilot's (1) misjudged flare (2) inadequate recovery from a bounced landing (3) failure to maintain directional control and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.
Jun 29, 1995	RONAN, MT	N9273M	Incident	substantial	DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A ROUGH/UNEVEN AIRSTRIP AND TALL VEGETATION.

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.

← Mooney M20 For Sale All Mooney Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Mooney M20 Safety Record

Report an Issue