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 03, 2003	New Orleans, LA	N658FT	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the magneto assembly due to inadequate maintenance by unknown personnel. A contributing fac… The loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the magneto assembly due to inadequate maintenance by unknown personnel. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jan 28, 2003	Myrtle Beach, SC	N231NT	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sep 07, 2002	Rector, AR	N6369Q	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Aug 08, 2002	Gualala, CA	N1038K	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's delayed decision in executing a go-around. Contributing factors were the pilot's limited experience landing on short fields and the risin… The pilot's delayed decision in executing a go-around. Contributing factors were the pilot's limited experience landing on short fields and the rising terrain.
May 23, 2002	Charleston, SC	N4560H	Minor	substantial	Total loss of engine power due to oil system starvation. A factor was the transmission wire encountered during emergency descent.
Mar 16, 2002	Norman, OK	N8390E	Minor	substantial	Maintenance personnel's improper clamp installation on the mixture control cable, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Jan 19, 2002	Glasgow, MT	N38AJ	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed resulting in a stall/mush condition and loss of control at low altitude. A contributing fact… The pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed resulting in a stall/mush condition and loss of control at low altitude. A contributing factor was the pilot's distraction from flying the aircraft while attempting to retract the landing gear.
Jan 17, 2002	Lake Placid, FL	N201XL	Minor	destroyed	The failure of the pilot to perform a proper preflight inspection and his improper fuel tank selection for takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine powe… The failure of the pilot to perform a proper preflight inspection and his improper fuel tank selection for takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine power on takeoff due to fuel starvation, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft resulting in an uncontrollable descent and collision with orange trees and terrain.
Dec 30, 2001	Martinsville, VA	N6779U	Minor	substantial	The pilot's premature rotation and his failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Aug 07, 2001	Fort Lauderdale, FL	N78933	Minor	substantial	The failure of the mechanic who installed the carburetor after overhaul to safety the throttle linkage at the carburetor per an Airworthiness Directiv… The failure of the mechanic who installed the carburetor after overhaul to safety the throttle linkage at the carburetor per an Airworthiness Directive resulting in separation of the throttle linkage and subsequent partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command during the forced landing.
Dec 05, 2000	DANBURY, CT	N4101H	Minor	substantial	Water/ice in the fuel system and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Nov 30, 2000	HAZARD, KY	N942TB	Minor	—	The incorrect routing of the cabin air scat tubing by an unknown person, which resulted in a carbon monoxide leak into the cabin, and subsequent pilot… The incorrect routing of the cabin air scat tubing by an unknown person, which resulted in a carbon monoxide leak into the cabin, and subsequent pilot incapacitation.
Nov 13, 2000	LONGMONT, CO	N201JP	Minor	substantial	the total failure of the left main gear strut during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the 6-foot high snow bank that the airplane impacted… the total failure of the left main gear strut during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the 6-foot high snow bank that the airplane impacted when it left the runway.
Sep 28, 2000	SAN CARLOS, CA	N68FM	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing.
Aug 02, 2000	OREGON CITY, OR	N1927Y	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor was the rough/uneven terrain.
Jul 01, 2000	GODLEY, TX	N231RR	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his delay in aborting the takeoff.
Jun 29, 2000	WHITNEY, TX	N6932N	Minor	substantial	The partial loss of engine power, which resulted from the worn carburetor.
Jun 03, 2000	UPLAND, CA	N9207V	Minor	substantial	The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the aircraft on takeoff after the cabin door became ajar.
Apr 20, 2000	MIDDLETOWN, RI	N9187V	Minor	substantial	an inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot which did not detect the water in the fuel tanks prior to departure.
Apr 19, 2000	TOMBALL, TX	N7038V	Minor	substantial	Engine seizure due to the rupture of an oil cooler line.
Dec 11, 1999	READING, PA	N6715U	Minor	substantial	The failure of the number two connecting rod after an improper overhaul by maintenance personnel.
Aug 28, 1999	EMIGRANT GAP, CA	N4201S	Minor	substantial	The fatigue failure and separation of the number three cylinder due to the cylinder overhaul facility's improper inspection and quality control proces… The fatigue failure and separation of the number three cylinder due to the cylinder overhaul facility's improper inspection and quality control processes.
Jul 19, 1999	MARSHALL, MN	N7141V	Minor	substantial	the inadvertent stall and the checklist not followed by the pilot. Contributing factors were the baggage door not secured and the precautionary landi… the inadvertent stall and the checklist not followed by the pilot. Contributing factors were the baggage door not secured and the precautionary landing attempt by the pilot.
Jun 16, 1999	CANON CITY, CO	N9355M	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's poor judgement due to his intentional and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the existing weather co… The pilot's poor judgement due to his intentional and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the existing weather conditions that included clouds and obscuration.
Mar 22, 1999	IRVING, NY	N5878Q	Minor	substantial	was the pilot's intentional flight into known icing conditions.

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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