Mooney M20F accident near Meridianville, Alabama, November 22, 2023
On November 22, 2023 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 1967 Mooney M20F, registered N9339M, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Meridianville, Alabama (Huntsville Exec Tom Sharp JR F airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while on final approach to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, a loss of airplane control, and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2023 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Meridianville, Alabama · Huntsville Exec Tom Sharp JR F · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F, built 1967 · all M20Fs on the register
- Registration
- N9339M · no longer on the register · serial 670253
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while turning from the left base to the final approach leg of the airport traffic pattern, the airplane’s stall warning horn sounded. The pilot pitched the airplane’s nose down and increased engine power. The airplane then “violent[ly]” pitched up and to the left. He continued his attempt to regain control, but the airplane then pitched up and to the right, and eventually impacted terrain about 200 ft short of the runway threshold. The pilot and passenger incurred minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, both wings, and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,455 hours in all; 316 in this make and model; 12.9 in the last 90 days; 10.9 in the last 30 days; 1,352 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,382 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 SER (piston); 5,382 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: M89 Arkadelphia AR at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 6,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: not reported
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,300 ft; a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from MDQ
Weather report (METAR): KMDQ 222315Z AUTO 31005KT 10SM OVC033 07/03 A3010 RMK A02 T00730031
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 25, 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/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 4 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.