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February 12, 2022 · Mooney M20J · N201VZ

Katy, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 2022
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Katy, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M20J (1977)
Tail Number
N201VZ
Operator
Aviation Partners Sa
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA118

The airplane was approaching the destination airport in dark night conditions when it collided with trees, impacted terrain, and came to rest about 500 ft before the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. Neither occupant could remember the events of the accident flight. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, data recovered from multiple devices that contained non-volatile memory revealed no anomalies with recorded engine parameters and that all flight parameters were consistent with controlled flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on the final approach segment of the traffic pattern in dark night conditions.

Full Narrative

On February 11, 2022, about 2006 central standard time, a Mooney M20J airplane, N201VZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Katy, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of archived Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane departed Castroville Municipal Airport (CVB), Castroville, Texas about 1827 destined for West Houston Airport (IWS), Katy, Texas. After overflying IWS at about 1,075 ft GPS altitude, the airplane turned left onto a downwind flight pattern leg for landing on runway 15. About 650 ft GPS altitude the airplane turned final and descended at which point the ADS-B data ended. The responding FAA inspector documented the accident site, which revealed that the airplane had collided with a tree, impacted terrain, and came to rest about 500 ft short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. Due to injuries sustained in the accident, neither the pilot nor the passenger could recall the events of the accident flight. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, data recovered from multiple devices that contained non-volatile memory revealed no anomalies with recorded engine parameters and that all flight parameters were consistent with controlled flight. Historical sunrise and sunset times for the Houston, Texas area for the day of the accident listed the sunrise as 0704, the sunset as 1807 and the end of civil twilight as 1831.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:06 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN201VZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAviation Partners Sa
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3B6D · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind106° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data