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
Jun 21, 2001 COLUMBIA, MO N20WR Fatal (1) destroyed The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Apr 22, 2001 Saint Mamet, FR N200YS Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 04, 2001 Bluffton, SC N88FJ Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain control due to spatial disorientation.
Dec 15, 2000 OGDEN, UT N5772C Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the blowing snow, turb…

the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the blowing snow, turbulence, dark night light conditions, and pilot fatigue due to the long flight day.

Dec 03, 2000 GRUNWALD, AU N2183N Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 26, 2000 RIXFORD, PA N252MW Fatal (3) destroyed The pilot's loss of control of the airplane while maneuvering. Factors included low ceilings and the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience.
Aug 29, 2000 JONESTOWN, PA N9436V Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in a collision with transmission wires. Factors in the accident were the pilot's improper i…

The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in a collision with transmission wires. Factors in the accident were the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a landing with a 14-knot tailwind, and his use of an unapproved pain medication.

Jul 30, 2000 JACKPOT, NV N5853Q Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot inadvertently became lost/disoriented during initial climb and collided with terrain. A related factor was the dark night.
Jul 27, 2000 Cheyenne, WY N252KD Fatal (1) destroyed the airplane's in-flight collision with hilly terrain for undetermined reasons.
Jul 26, 2000 LUNENBURG, MA N5727Q Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel supply.
Apr 21, 2000 NORTON, VA N5632H Fatal (5) destroyed
The pilot's improper weather evaluation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors in this accident were icing conditions, and aircraft l…

The pilot's improper weather evaluation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors in this accident were icing conditions, and aircraft loading which exceed the airplane's weight and balance limitations.

Feb 10, 2000 ODESSA, FL N201RC Fatal (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing. A factor was the utility pole.
Jan 24, 2000 PENDLETON, OR N251BD Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to adequately remove ice and snow from the airplane. A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to maintain control during c…

The pilot's failure to adequately remove ice and snow from the airplane. A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to maintain control during climb due to degradation of the airplane's aerodynamic performance.

Jan 10, 2000 MOUNT PLEASANT, SC N2135X Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuv ering on a night instrument approach in instrument conditions. This resulted in an inadver…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuv ering on a night instrument approach in instrument conditions. This resulted in an inadvertent in-flight loss of control (stall/spin), and subsequent in-flight collision with a swamp. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marihuana.

Dec 27, 1999 MCALESTER, OK N5697N Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's impairment (drugs), the deployed right speed brake, and the night conditio…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's impairment (drugs), the deployed right speed brake, and the night conditions.

Dec 12, 1999 MISSOULA, MT N270BB Fatal (1) destroyed Engine failure for undetermined reasons. Factors include the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing, trees and mountainous terrain.
Sep 03, 1999 GAINESVILLE, GA N4072H Fatal (3) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain flying speed which resulted in a stall and the subsequent collision with terrain.
Sep 02, 1999 BEAR VALLEY, CA N6831U Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Aug 20, 1999 LAS VEGAS, NV N2654W Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's steep turn at low altitude that resulted in an accelerated stall while in the landing configuration, leading to a loss of control and subs…

The pilot's steep turn at low altitude that resulted in an accelerated stall while in the landing configuration, leading to a loss of control and subsequent ground impact.

May 29, 1999 MESQUITE, TX N74706 Fatal (2) destroyed
The failure by both pilots to maintain visual lookout. A factor was the inadequate radio communications maintained by both pilots while in the traffi…

The failure by both pilots to maintain visual lookout. A factor was the inadequate radio communications maintained by both pilots while in the traffic pattern.

May 03, 1999 CEDAR CITY, UT N5594Q Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations. Factors were the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the obscuring weather conditio…

The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations. Factors were the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the obscuring weather conditions.

Apr 17, 1999 BROOKSVILLE, KY N1987Y Fatal (1) substantial
Contaminated fuel which resulted in the forced landing, and a heart attack from an adrenaline rush that interacted with preexisting coronary disease w…

Contaminated fuel which resulted in the forced landing, and a heart attack from an adrenaline rush that interacted with preexisting coronary disease which resulted in the pilot's death.

Mar 12, 1999 COUNTS, VA N231HU Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane.
Mar 04, 1999 CABOOL, MO N9381M Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot not maintaining an appropriate airspeed during the turn from base to final resulting in a stall.
Aug 29, 1998 FORT COLLINS, CO N377X Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush due to his excessive angle of bank during his traffic pattern turn to base. Factors were the pilot's improper down…

The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush due to his excessive angle of bank during his traffic pattern turn to base. Factors were the pilot's improper downwind altitude, the pilot not properly setting his Kollsman Window in his altimeter, and the high density altitude.

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