Mooney M20J and Mooney M20U mid-air collision near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 21, 2019
On July 21, 2019 at about 3:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Mooney M20J (N9201A) and Mooney M20U (N197CV), were involved in a mid-air collision near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of both pilots to remain clear of the other while flying in formation.
The failure of both pilots to remain clear of the other while flying in formation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2019 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Incident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Mooney M20J No Series, built 1978 · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N9201A · registry record · serial 24-0610
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Mooney M20U, built 2015 · all M20Us on the register
- Registration
- N197CV · registry record · serial 32-0001
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Mooney M20J final · quoted from the NTSB record
Both pilots and their passengers were flying in formation as a part of a mass arrival. The airplanes were a two-ship element with the Mooney M20J as the lead and the Mooney M20U as the wing. They were to join up with the preceding two-ship element after departure. After takeoff, the pilots of both airplanes were maneuvering into position to the right of the lead airplane in the preceding element. The pilot of Mooney M20U reported that he encountered wake turbulence that forced him above Mooney M20J. The pilot of Mooney M20J reported that he saw Mooney M20U above and forward of his right wing and slowing. Both pilots immediately maneuvered in attempt to deconflict their airplanes before they rejoined the formation and continued the flight. Neither pilot reported feeling the collision and there were no anomalies with either airplane for the remainder of the flight and subsequent landing. After landing, the pilots discovered the damage to the airplanes. The Mooney M20J sustained minor damage to the right outboard wing leading edge and the Mooney M20U sustained minor damage to the rudder.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Mooney M20U final · quoted from the NTSB record
Both pilots and their passengers were flying in formation as a part of a mass arrival. The airplanes were a two-ship element with the Mooney M20J as the lead and the Mooney M20U as the wing. They were to join up with the preceding two-ship element after departure. After takeoff, the pilots of both airplanes were maneuvering into position to the right of the lead airplane in the preceding element. The pilot of Mooney M20U reported that he encountered wake turbulence that forced him above Mooney M20J. The pilot of Mooney M20J reported that he saw Mooney M20U above and forward of his right wing and slowing. Both pilots immediately maneuvered in attempt to deconflict their airplanes before they rejoined the formation and continued the flight. Neither pilot reported feeling the collision and there were no anomalies with either airplane for the remainder of the flight and subsequent landing. After landing, the pilots discovered the damage to the airplanes. The Mooney M20J sustained minor damage to the right outboard wing leading edge and the Mooney M20U sustained minor damage to the rudder.
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 for the Mooney M20J from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,501 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 190 in the last 90 days; 66 in the last 30 days; 3,014 as pilot in command; 877 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 15, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KMSN Madison WI
- Destination: Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: VFR then IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KOSH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the Mooney M20U from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,600 hours in all; 1,800 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-G (piston); 290 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KMSN Madison WI
- Destination: Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: VFR then IFR
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.