The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB CEN25LA386 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K accident near Pearland, Texas, September 16, 2025

On September 16, 2025 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 1982 Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K, registered N305EP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Pearland, Texas (Pearland Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
September 16, 2025 · about 3:40 pm local time
Place
Pearland, Texas · Pearland Rgnl · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K, built 1982
Registration
N305EP · registry record · serial 25-0656
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record

On September 16, 2025, about 1040 central daylight time, a Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, N305EP was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Pearland Regional Airport, Pearland, Texas. The pilot and certificated flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to perform an engine break-in after an engine replacement, and to perform a flight review as required by 14 CFR 61.56. He stated that the initial takeoff roll was consistent with expectations and rotation was achieved normally at he expected time and distance. After takeoff when the airplane was about 10-15 ft above ground level, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power and airplane performance. He checked throttle, propeller, and mixture settings, and then he retarded and re-advanced the throttle with no change in engine performance. The airplane continued to lose airspeed; the pilot recognized that the airplane was going to impact the runway and he retarded the mixture to shut the engine off. He stated that during the takeoff attempt he did not notice any misfire or unusual shaking. He did not believe that the engine lost all power and continued to operate at reduced power until he retarded the mixture control. The airplane landed hard on the runway, the left main landing gear separated, and airplane slid off the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was retained for further examination.

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

  1. Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, September 13, 2025; 0 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: retractable

The flight

  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 14/3, 4,313 ft by 75 ft
  • A second pilot was aboard

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 070° at 6 knots
  • Visibility: 9 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
  • Observation at 10:53 am from KLVJ

Weather report (METAR): METAR KLVJ 161553Z AUTO 07006KT 9SM CLR 30/21 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP205 T03000211=

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew2

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.