Mooney M20J accident near Falmouth, Massachusetts, December 2, 2022
On December 2, 2022 at about 8:04 pm local time, a 1980 Mooney M20J, registered N3515H, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Falmouth, Massachusetts (Falmouth Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare, which impaired the pilot's visibility and situational awareness.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2022 · about 8:04 pm local time
- Place
- Falmouth, Massachusetts · Falmouth Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J NO SERIES, built 1980 · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N3515H · no longer on the register · serial 24-1034
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-rated passenger described the sun as “blinding” during the landing approach, but stated that she and the pilot were uncomfortable landing on the other runway due to the wind conditions. While on final approach, the passenger adjusted the pilot’s sun visor, then looked down to confirm that the airplane was properly configured for landing. When she looked up, she knew that the airplane was going to impact trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane impacted 75-ft-tall trees about 300 ft from the end of the runway, then subsequently impacted terrain. The passenger reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of published airport information revealed that trees were listed as an obstruction for both runways.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Glare › Effect on personnel
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,659 hours in all; 2,659 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,516 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,774.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 24, 2022; 28.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 2,774 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BAF Westfield/Springfield MA at 2:23 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,298 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.50 inHg
- Observation at 8:45 pm from KFMH, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFMH 022045Z 19008KT 10SM CLR 07/M01 A3050=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on December 5, 2024. 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-rated Passenger Statement | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 8 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Memorandum - FAA Engine Inspection | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Airport Facility Directory (5B6) | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | GPS - Specialista��s Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Attachment 1 to GPS - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 8 | Accident Site Map and Sun Position | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
Other NTSB records under N3515H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.