Mooney M20K accident near Panama City, Florida, November 1, 2007
On November 1, 2007 at about 7:06 pm local time, a Mooney M20K, registered N4091H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Panama City, Florida (Panama City International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to recent cocaine use.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 2007 · about 7:06 pm local time
- Place
- Panama City, Florida · Panama City International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20K · all M20Ks on the register
- Registration
- N4091H · no longer on the register · serial 25-0468
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident airplane had not flown for an undetermined period of time, and the pilot was planning to conduct a 30-minute local flight. The pilot's mechanic attempted to prepare the airplane for the flight, and while prepping the airplane he drained water from both fuel tanks for approximately 45 minutes. He started the engine and let it run for 15 minutes. During that time the pilot arrived at the airport, and the mechanic suggested to the pilot that he allow him to fully drain the fuel tanks prior to his flight. The pilot refused and he and the passenger boarded the airplane. The flight departed, and shortly after the pilot reported a loss of engine power and ditched in the Gulf of Mexico. Examination of the airplane revealed water contamination of the fuel. Review of the pilot's toxicology report revealed the use of controlled substances. Post mortem toxicology testing performed on the pilot was consistent with the regular use and very recent smoking of cocaine, likely within 1 hour of the accident. The pilot’s medical certificate was expired at the time of the accident.
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: 2,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,264.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,370 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-360-GB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PFN Panama City FL at 6:48 pm
- Destination: PFN Panama City FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KPFN, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.