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
Aug 31, 2012	Chelan, WA	N132PC	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power during climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would … A loss of engine power during climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Jul 21, 2012	Marked Tree, AR	N1310W	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a malfunction of the fuel injection servo due to a damaged O-ring.
May 25, 2012	Ozark, AR	N2159D	Minor	substantial	The failure of a connecting rod due to oil starvation.
May 19, 2012	Pembroke Pines, FL	N2610W	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.
Apr 15, 2012	Rosamond, CA	N74518	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s selection of an empty fuel tank prior to departure.
Sep 11, 2011	Kokomo, IN	N9266M	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power following takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that… The loss of engine power following takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Aug 30, 2011	Allen, OK	N5501Q	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel management.
Jun 05, 2011	North Canton, OH	N1146B	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
Jan 29, 2011	Cypress, TX	N64FM	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s delayed decision to execute a go-around.
Oct 13, 2010	New Smyrna Beach, FL	N5743Q	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to water contaminated fuel.
Jun 04, 2010	Port Clinton, OH	N1054B	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the landing and his failure to properly reconfigure the airplane during the aborted landing attempt.
Jan 17, 2010	La Veta, CO	N782LU	Minor	substantial	A fuel leak and subsequent fire due to a mechanical defect.
Oct 17, 2009	Hesperia, CA	N1084Z	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper glide path and failure to maintain clearance from the airport perimeter fence during the landing approach.
Oct 10, 2009	Marathon, FL	N2558Y	Minor	destroyed	A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sep 17, 2008	Bolingbrook, IL	N5651Q	Minor	substantial	The non-mechanical loss of engine power due to the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector prior to takeoff and the subsequent fuel st… The non-mechanical loss of engine power due to the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector prior to takeoff and the subsequent fuel starvation during takeoff.
Sep 09, 2008	Wallace, NC	N21MY	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when the engine failed to develop full power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to remove … The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when the engine failed to develop full power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to remove the intake plugs prior to takeoff.
Aug 11, 2008	Ridgeland, SC	N9137V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
Jul 09, 2008	Rogers, AR	N7072V	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision.
Jun 29, 2008	Lake Ft Gibson, OK	N1287X	Minor	substantial	The pilot's loss of control while maneuvering the aircraft.
Apr 27, 2008	Howell, MI	N4513H	Minor	substantial	The inadvertent stall and low airspeed while maneuvering back to the departure airport after the baggage door opened in flight. An additional cause wa… The inadvertent stall and low airspeed while maneuvering back to the departure airport after the baggage door opened in flight. An additional cause was the plot's diverted attention to the opening of the baggage door.
Dec 26, 2007	Sarasota, FL	N5875Q	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel filter.
Oct 13, 2007	Muskegon, MI	N1261X	Minor	substantial	Loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landi… Loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing available to the pilot due to the presence of a residential sub-division and trees.
Jul 15, 2007	Eden Prairie, MN	N4785H	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the embankment and the fence.
Apr 16, 2007	Sidney, OH	N3529H	Minor	substantial	The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to oil starvation as a result of improper maintenance. The fixed base operator's failure to ad… The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to oil starvation as a result of improper maintenance. The fixed base operator's failure to advise the pilot that the engine had been operated without oil in the engine and soft terrain were factors.
Nov 14, 2006	Akron, OH	N202WB	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the airplane's… The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the airplane's low altitude at the time of the stall and the asymmetric flap configuration.

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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