Mooney M20TN accident near Buena Vista, Colorado, July 7, 2020
On July 7, 2020 at about 7:44 pm local time, a 2007 Mooney M20TN, registered CGTVS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Buena Vista, Colorado (Central Colorado Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's distraction during takeoff, which resulted in collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2020 · about 7:44 pm local time
- Place
- Buena Vista, Colorado · Central Colorado Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20TN No Series, built 2007 · all M20TNs on the register
- Registration
- CGTVS · no longer on the register · serial 31-0028
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he was on a cross-country flight and stopped at the airport to refuel the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot looked down to adjust the engine mixture and put on his oxygen nose piece. He stated that he did not establish a positive rate of climb and was not paying attention to his airspeed and altitude. The pilot looked up and the right main landing gear hit the terrain very hard at an estimated speed of 150 to 160 knots. The pilot attempted to maintain control, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. A postimpact fire ensued, and the pilot sustained serious injuries as he exited the airplane. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 5, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 3,366 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550-G (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AEJ Buena Vista CO at 7:44 pm
- Destination: VNY Van Nuys CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 8,303 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from AEJ
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 October 9, 2020. 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 | Record of Conversation Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpt of Airport Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | 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.