Mooney M20J accident near St. Augustine, Florida, November 10, 2019
On November 10, 2019 at about 2:20 pm local time, a 1984 Mooney M20J, registered N5765H, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near St. Augustine, Florida (Northeast Florida Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total 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
- November 10, 2019 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- St. Augustine, Florida · Northeast Florida Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J No Series, built 1984 · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N5765H · no longer on the register · serial 24-1480
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After an annual inspection was completed, the pilot was repositioning his airplane back to his home airport, which was about 1 hour away from the airport where the inspection was performed. During approach to his home airport, while on an extended base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine began to surge for several seconds, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot verified that the fuel boost pump was on, the mixture was in the full-rich position, and the fuel selector was positioned to the correct fuel tank. He then attempted to glide the airplane to the airport, but the airplane impacted brackish water about 1 mile short of the runway. Examination of the wreckage at the site revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank; about 20 gallons of 100-low-lead aviation gasoline was drained from the right tank. Water was drained from the left main fuel tank. The water had a smell of fuel, but no fuel was observed in the left tank. The engine was subsequently examined at a recovery facility and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. Due to corrosion, the magnetos and fuel pump could not be tested. Based on the available information, the reason for the 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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,700 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 112 in the last 90 days; 74 in the last 30 days; 5,580 as pilot in command; 3,105 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 17, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,293.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 30, 2019; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D (piston); 3,398 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GNV Gainesville FL at 12:20 pm
- Destination: SGJ St. Augustine FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 7,997 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 2:41 pm from SGJ, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on April 15, 2020. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Interview Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Maintenance Records | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement - Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for the Record - Wreckage Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.