Mooney M20J accident near Katy, Texas, February 12, 2022
On February 12, 2022 at about 2:06 am local time, a 1977 Mooney M20J, registered N201VZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Katy, Texas. 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 failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on the final approach segment of the traffic pattern in dark night conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 12, 2022 · about 2:06 am local time
- Place
- Katy, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J, built 1977 · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N201VZ · no longer on the register · serial 24-0243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 4, 2022
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aviation Partners SA LLC
The flight
- Departed from: CVB Castroville TX
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 106° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KSGR, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSGR 0153Z 10607kt 10sc CLR 17/11
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2023. 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 | Examination Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | ADS-B Plot | map file | Download |
| 3 | ADS-B Data File | spreadsheet | Download |
| 4 | Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Attachment 1 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 6 | Attachment 2 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 7 | Attachment 3 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 8 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Sunrise and Sunset Times | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 11 | NTSB Form 6120 Mfr | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.