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 10, 1997 BOUNTIFUL, UT N9666M Serious (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation.
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.

Jul 18, 1997 PLACERVILLE, CA N405LA Fatal (2) destroyed A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 15, 1997 SAREPTA, LA N777TU Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's impairment (drugs) resulting in his becoming disoriented and the ensuing loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the lac…

The pilot's impairment (drugs) resulting in his becoming disoriented and the ensuing loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the inaccurate navigation chart.

Jul 06, 1997 WHITE BEAR, MN N8394E Fatal (2) destroyed pilot incapacitation due to a stroke.
Jun 24, 1997 BELLWOOD, PA N6756N Minor substantial the total loss of engine power due to failed connecting rods.
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.
May 09, 1997 N LITTLE ROCK, AR N262JM Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's failure to use the proper aborted landing procedures.
May 09, 1997 TORREON, NM N7853V Minor substantial
failure of the forward number four piston pin plug, and the subsequent obstruction of internal oil passages of the lubricating system, which resulted …

failure of the forward number four piston pin plug, and the subsequent obstruction of internal oil passages of the lubricating system, which resulted in partial loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind condition and lack of suitable terrain for an emergency (precautionary) landing.

Apr 06, 1997 MARIETTA, OK N6492Q Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate short field takeoff. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience in short field takeoffs from a grass/turf runway.
Jan 21, 1997 COTTAGE GROVE, MN N1160G Fatal (2) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during an ILS approach. Factors relating to the accident were: the IFR weather conditions, t…

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during an ILS approach. Factors relating to the accident were: the IFR weather conditions, the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience, and the pilot's lack of familiarity in flying the accident aircraft.

Jan 09, 1997 VAN NUYS, CA N305NH Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing rollout.
Dec 28, 1996 ROXBORO, NC N7773M Fatal (2) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an…

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an unapproved drug, low ceiling, restricted visibility (fog), and an undetermined anomaly with the vacuum system.

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.

Dec 11, 1996 WELLSVILLE, NY N3424N Fatal (2) destroyed Descent below the published minimum descent altitude followed by collision with the surrounding terrain.
Nov 22, 1996 SCOTTSDALE, AZ N5766K Fatal (3) destroyed the pilot misjudged the landing flare and failed to maintain directional control after a hard bounced landing.
Nov 01, 1996 SAN LEON, TX N25LS Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's inadvertent stall and spin of the airplane. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane and the we…

The pilot's inadvertent stall and spin of the airplane. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane and the weather conditions.

Oct 25, 1996 AMELIA ISLAND, FL N32DG Serious (2) substantial
inadequate maintenance/inspection, which resulted in a failure to detect and correct moisture contamination of the left magneto; and/or improper adjus…

inadequate maintenance/inspection, which resulted in a failure to detect and correct moisture contamination of the left magneto; and/or improper adjustment of the engine fuel pump output, which resulted in excessive fuel pressure.

Oct 13, 1996 HARLAN, KY N950Z Minor substantial
the pilot's misjudged distance and speed, and his faiure to attain the proper touchdown point during the landing, which resulted in overrun of the run…

the pilot's misjudged distance and speed, and his faiure to attain the proper touchdown point during the landing, which resulted in overrun of the runway and an encounter with terrain.

Sep 21, 1996 ISLIP, NY N3375X Incident substantial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in an emergency/wheels-up landing.
Sep 07, 1996 BISCOE, AR N311SM Minor destroyed Binding of the flight control system for an undetermined reason.
Aug 25, 1996 LUBBOCK, TX N4538H Minor substantial
inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power when the magneto disengaged from the engine. A relate…

inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power when the magneto disengaged from the engine. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced 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.

Aug 02, 1996 GRAND CANYON, AZ N4634H Fatal (1) destroyed
due to an in-flight loss of control resulting from a probable incapacitation for unknown reasons. The loss of control occurred while the aircraft was…

due to an in-flight loss of control resulting from a probable incapacitation for unknown reasons. The loss of control occurred while the aircraft was being flown in close proximity to a level 6 thunderstorm. The failure of the pilot to obtain current weather information was a factor in this accident.

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