Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

January 4, 2017 · Mooney Aircraft M20 K · N1159G

Nacogdoches, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 4, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Nacogdoches, TX
Aircraft
Mooney Aircraft M20 K (1982)
Tail Number
N1159G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN17LA068

The private pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight. He reported that he entered the downwind pattern at his home airfield and prepared the airplane to land using the manufacturer's checklist, which included selecting the fullest fuel tank, setting flaps to 5°, and lowering the landing gear. While on an extended downwind leg, the pilot noticed that the airplane had descended to between 700 and 800 ft above ground level, so he added engine power to climb back to pattern altitude, but the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned the airplane toward the runway, which he estimated was more than 1.5 miles away. He realized that he was not going to be able to glide the configured airplane to the runway, so he performed a forced landing to a field but landed short in a wooded area. Examination and testing of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Maintenance had recently been conducted on the fuel selector's union fitting. The mechanic who conducted the maintenance reported purging the lines of air and conducting a successful postmaintenance test flight before releasing the airplane to the pilot. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination and testing of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On January 4, 2017, about 1545 central standard time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N1159G, conducted a forced landing near Nacogdoches, Texas. The private rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight departed the Kerrville Municipal Airport and was about to land at the A L Mangham Jr Regional Airport (OCH), Nacogdoches, Texas.The airplane had recently undergone an annual inspection and the flight was the second flight since the inspection. The pilot reported that the preflight and flight was uneventful until he entered the pattern to land at OCH. The pilot prepared the airplane to land using the manufacturer's checklist, which included changing to the fullest fuel tank, which was the left fuel tank, setting flaps to 5° and lowering the landing gear. While on an extended downwind leg, the pilot noticed that his altitude dropped to 700 to 800 ft above ground level, so he added engine power to climb back to pattern altitude. The airplane's engine stopped producing power without any vibrations or sputtering. The pilot turned the airplane towards the runway and estimated the distance to be more than 1.5 miles from the end of the runway. He set up best glide but perceived that the airplane was descending too quickly to make the runway. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field but landed short in a wooded area. The airplane was moved to a secure location and several engine runs were conducted. Testing included scenarios with the fuel lines not purged of air. Engine runs with the left fuel line not purged of air, the engine would stop producing power if the pilot did not intervene and either activate the boost pump or switch back to the right tank. Testing found that when purged of air, the engine operated normally. Examination of the airframe found no anomalies. Examination of the fuel selector found no anomalies and each switch position was easily discerned. The mechanic, who has worked on Mooney airplanes for 48 years, provided a statement concerning the work performed on the airplane prior to the accident. During N1159G's annual inspection, a discrepancy found were numerous fuel stains throughout the belly panels. The source of the leak was determined to be the o-rings on fittings in the fuel selector valve. The mechanic was familiar with the fuel selector valve and suspected that the o-rings were deteriorated. To perform the required replacement, both fuel tanks were drained and the fuel selector valve was removed from the airplane. The fuel selector was not disassembled and the four unions were removed. The O-rings were replaced and the fittings were torqued. The selector valve was reinstalled and the fuel tanks were refilled with the fuel that had been previously removed and filtered. The fuel selector was moved from the off position to the left position and the fuel supply to the valve was purged of air thru the gascolator drain valve. The selector was then moved to the right position and the right fuel line to the selector was purged of air thru the gascolator drain valve. Inspection showed no leaks and after several days was re-examined and found not leaking. The annual inspection and repairs were completed. The mechanic, who is also a pilot, performed a post maintenance flight that included selecting both the left and right tanks during the preflight, taxi, and flight portions. He did not detect any leaks during the post flight inspection. The pilot has owned N1159G for almost 25 years and has at least 941 hours in the airplane without a similar incident occurring.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 CST
Nearest AirportA L Mangham Jr Rgnl (2nm SSW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney Aircraft M20 K
Tail NumberN1159G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · TSIO-360 GB · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data