Mooney M20F accident near Hooker, Oklahoma, June 12, 2012
On June 12, 2012 at about 8:20 pm local time, a 1967 Mooney M20F, registered N6455Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hooker, Oklahoma (Hooker Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of airplane control after a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment as a result of his recent use of illicit drugs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2012 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Hooker, Oklahoma · Hooker Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F, built 1967 · all M20Fs on the register
- Registration
- N6455Q · no longer on the register · serial 670438
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, a sudden partial loss of engine power occurred. The pilot lost airplane control as the airplane drifted left and then stalled. The airplane impacted terrain near the runway departure end. A significant fuel spill occurred, but no postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident toxicology testing of the pilot's blood and urine specimens, which were obtained about 4 hours after the accident, revealed the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine at levels consistent with recreational drug use shortly before the accident flight. Given the levels of methamphetamine and amphetamine in his blood 4 hours after the accident, it is likely that the pilot's judgment and ability to respond to an urgent or emergency situation was significantly impaired and contributed to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Part(s) separation from AC during post (impact)
- Hazardous material leak/spill during post (impact)
- Cabin safety event during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 652 hours in all
- Last flight review: May 6, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,196 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, February 5, 2012; 34 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A (piston); 4,207 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O45 Hooker OK at 8:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,311 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 24 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from KLBL, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.