Mooney Airplane CO INC M20TN accident near Grandby, Colorado, May 13, 2017
On May 13, 2017 at about 1:30 am local time, a 2008 Mooney Airplane CO INC M20TN, registered N9306, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Grandby, Colorado (Granby-Grand County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2017 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Grandby, Colorado · Granby-Grand County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney Airplane CO INC M20TN NO SERIES, built 2008
- Registration
- N9306 · no longer on the register · serial 31-0095
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported that, during landing at a high density altitude airport, the airplane bounced. He applied full engine power to go around; however, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently touched down and overran the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel mixture control arm in the engine compartment was striking an improperly-routed hose; however, the full travel of the mixture arm did not appear to be impeded. The examination of the engine did not include removal of the spark plugs or fuel controls; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Runway excursion during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 14 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,369 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-550-G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APA Denver CO
- Destination: GNB Grandby CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 1:25 am from 0CO, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 27, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excerpt from Pilot's Operating Handbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.