Mooney M20E accident near Nacogdoches, Texas, October 30, 2006
On October 30, 2006 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Mooney M20E, registered N2591W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Nacogdoches, Texas (A L Mangham JR. Regional 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 30, 2006 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Nacogdoches, Texas · A L Mangham JR. Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20E · all M20Es on the register
- Registration
- N2591W · no longer on the register · serial 944
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 849-hour private pilot completed his preflight inspection, which consisted of checking the oil, fuel, and control surfaces. After starting the engine, he went through his normal checks; "oil pressure, volts, fuel pressure, and avionics." He then taxied the airplane to Runway 18, where he completed his engine run-up. The pilot reported that the engine gauges were "normal" and he departed. After reaching an altitude of approximately 300 feet, "the engine lost power," and the pilot elected to land in a grassy area between runways 18 and 15. Additionally, the pilot reported the time between engine start and takeoff was about 15 minutes. Fuel was found at the accident site, and the airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. An engine run was conducted on January 23, 2007 under the supervision of the NTSB IIC. The engine, which was separated from the airframe for transport to the salvage yard, was placed on an engine test stand. The propeller, which sustained impact damage during the forced landing, was replaced with a test propeller. The engine was then started and run for approximately 10 minutes at various power settings. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.
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: 849 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 760 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,864 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2006
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OCH Nacogdoches TX
- Destination: Nacogdoches TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KLFK, 20 miles away
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.