Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K accident near Los Lunas, New Mexico, November 7, 2017
On November 7, 2017 at about 1:45 am local time, a 1979 Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K, registered N231JD, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Los Lunas, New Mexico (Mid Valley Airpark 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 pilot’s improper glidepath during a night approach, which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 7, 2017 · about 1:45 am local time
- Place
- Los Lunas, New Mexico · Mid Valley Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K NO SERIES, built 1979
- Registration
- N231JD · no longer on the register · serial 25-0070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during a night approach, he realized that the airplane was short of the runway and applied power. The airplane rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with 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
- Landing area undershoot during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,219 hours in all; 53 in this make and model; 1,124 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 15, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,387 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 22, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-360-GB1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E95 Benson AZ at 11:50 pm
- Destination: E98 Los Lunas NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,332 ft by 37 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 190° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 1°F (-17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 25, 2018. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - FAA | 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.