Mooney M20TN accident near Lakeland, Florida, April 20, 2015
On April 20, 2015 at about 6:40 pm local time, a 2015 Mooney M20TN, registered N608MR, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR final approach) near Lakeland, Florida (Lakeland Linder Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to thermal damage and because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2015 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeland, Florida · Lakeland Linder Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20TN, built 2015 · all M20TNs on the register
- Registration
- N608MR · registry record · serial 31-0132
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot fueled the airplane with 20 gallons of fuel before departing on the 1-hour cross-country flight. While on final approach to the destination airport, the pilot advanced the throttle lever; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot attempted to restore engine power but was unsuccessful and subsequently conducted a forced landing to a small clearing. The airplane impacted terrain, trees, and a gate before coming to rest about 1 mile short of the runway and was largely consumed by postcrash fire. Based on the minimal rotational damage to the propeller and propeller assembly, it is likely that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power before impact. Due to the significant postcrash fire it was unlikely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, including the fuel and ignition systems, revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. Although functional testing of the engine-driven fuel pump and the throttle body was precluded due to thermal damage, disassembly of the units revealed no anomalies.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (IFR final approach) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 5,735.3 hours in all; 32.7 in the last 90 days; 12.3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,369 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550-G (piston); 15 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SUA Stuart FL at 5:40 pm
- Destination: LAL Lakeland FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 27, 8,499 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,600 ft; scat at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:33 pm from KLAL, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 13, 2017. 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 | Fuel Receipt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum of Record - Lakeland Weather | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 16-006 | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Cmi Component Examination Report (Exceprt) | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Hartzell Propeller Report | PDF, 11 pages | 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.