Mooney M20E accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, August 20, 1999
On August 20, 1999 at about 7:27 pm local time, a Mooney M20E, registered N2654W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada (North Las Vegas airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were 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 steep turn at low altitude that resulted in an accelerated stall while in the landing configuration, leading to a loss of control and subsequent ground impact.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 1999 · about 7:27 pm local time
- Place
- Las Vegas, Nevada · North Las Vegas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20E · all M20Es on the register
- Registration
- N2654W · no longer on the register · serial 985
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was in the landing pattern when it rolled and exhibited exaggerated wing rocking then descended until it collided with a tree and a residence. The pilot sequenced for runway 12, but tower personnel thought the pilot was positioning for runway 7. They informed him to follow traffic ahead on final for runway 12 and suggested that he turn to a heading of 300 degrees. The pilot replied "Wilco" and they heard no other transmissions from the airplane. The controller looked away; when he looked back he saw exaggerated wing rocking as the airplane descended. Witnesses on the ground reported the airplane rolled and reported exaggerated wing rocking. This was followed by an explosion and fireball at ground impact. The passenger in the right front seat stated everything was fine until the pilot executed a steep left bank. He heard the pilot express concern vocally and noticed he was having difficulty controlling the airplane. He stated all three occupants survived the impact sequence. The left side of the airplane ripped open and flames were coming in that side. He saw the pilot trying to unfasten his seat belt and heard the passenger in the rear seat tell him to hurry and get out. He was able to exit the airplane and sustained burns on his legs, arms, and face. The passenger in the rear seat had luggage wedged between her legs and the front seat, which hindered her escape.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,700 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 5, 1999
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO 360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: RNO Reno NV at 4:20 pm
- Destination: VGT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 12, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 18,000 ft; scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 194°F (90°C), dew point 135°F (57°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:23 pm from VGT, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.