Mooney M20J accident near San Leon, TX
On November 1, 1996, a Mooney M20J (airplane) was involved in an accident near San Leon, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 1, 1996
- Place
- San Leon, TX
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.450°N, 95.060°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07018
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On November 1, 1996, at 1650 central standard time, a Mooney M20J, N25LS, registered to H and L Air Services, Inc., of Houston, Texas, and operated by the Ellington Field Aero Club, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, impacted the water following a loss of control near San Leon, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot was fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; however, frontal passage with a wind shift and gusts was occurring. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from Houston, Texas, 30 minutes before the accident. During personal interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge and the FAA inspector, the following information was gleaned from local authorities, witnesses, and the operator. A certificated pilot observed the airplane in a 3 to 4 turn (360 degree) spin to the right with the engine pointing downward before the airplane impacted the water and exploded with flames and black smoke erupting for 200 to 300 feet into the air. Another witness observed the airplane flying in the light rain, while 2 other witnesses observed the airplane in level flight beneath the base of the clouds. One witness observed the airplane descending and another witness reported observing the airplane circle toward the bay. Witnesses reported that following the airplane's impact with the water, the fire continued to burn on the water for several minutes and witnesses described the fire as the type associated with a pipeline rupture. Local authorities res
Probable cause
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.
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Browse: Texas · Mooney aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
