Mooney M20J accident near Espanola, New Mexico, July 13, 2000
On July 13, 2000 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N201DK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Espanola, New Mexico. 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 lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. A factor was a complete loss of power due to mechanical failure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2000 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Espanola, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N201DK · no longer on the register · serial 24-0121
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During climb following takeoff the engine oil pressure went to 0 and the oil temperature increased. The pilot reduced power, and looked for an emergency landing site in the rough mountainous terrain he was over flying. When the engine began to vibrate, the pilot secured the engine and made an emergency landing in a field with an uneven surface. During landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed causing damage to the engine firewall. Examination of the engine revealed the number 3 connecting rod bearing had failed due to oil starvation followed by failure of the number 3 connecting rod. The number I connecting rod bearing had also failed due to reduced lubrication. The engine contained 7 quarts of aviation grade lubricating oil and the oil pump and internal oil distribution system were open and functioned in a normal fashion. The correct parts were verified.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 310 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 240 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,872 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 9, 2000; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LAM Los Alamos NM at 9:00 pm
- Destination: BJC Broomfield CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.