Mooney M20J accident near Saginaw, Texas, July 20, 2005
On July 20, 2005 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N5670M, was destroyed in an accident near Saginaw, Texas (Hicks Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2005 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Saginaw, Texas · Hicks Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N5670M · no longer on the register · serial 24-1396
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A 5,650 hour private pilot and two non-rated passengers were aboard a single-engine airplane, when the airplane impacted the ground in a residential area following a series of erratic maneuvers near the airport. A post-impact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot was issued a special issuance, FAA third-class medical certificate on April 02, 2005. Witnesses reported hearing the engine running as the airplane flew overhead. Additionally, they reported observing the airplane make an approach to the airfield with the landing gear in the retracted position. They then observed the airplane make a shallow left turn, followed by a second left turn, but with a 60-70 degree bank angle; during the second turn the airplane did a "knife-edge drop". A detailed post-accident examination of the airframe and engine/propeller was conducted. The landing gear and flaps were found in the retracted position. Control continuity was established from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit. No anomalies were found with the airplane or engine/propeller. Approximately 32 gallons of fuel was retrieved from the left wing fuel tanks; the fuel selector was found to be clear and on the left wing tank position. The autopsy did not reveal any evidence of incapacitation or physical impairment.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,650 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,390 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2004
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: T67 Saginaw TX at 3:00 pm
- Destination: T67 Saginaw TX
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from AFW, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.