Mooney M20J accident near Hackettstown, New Jersey, July 11, 2004
On July 11, 2004 at about 11:00 am local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N302SB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hackettstown, New Jersey (Hackettstown airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 the total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, during the initial climb after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2004 · about 11:00 am local time
- Place
- Hackettstown, New Jersey · Hackettstown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N302SB · registry record · serial 24-0933
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff, about 100 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The airplane struck the rooftop of a residence, and came to rest in trees, about 200 feet from the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions; however, water was observed in the engine driven fuel pump, flow divider and gascolator. The airplane was equipped with sump drains at the lowest point in each tank. A drain valve was also installed in the fuel selector valve assembly. Additionally, the airplane information manual, normal procedures, pre-flight inspection section contained procedures to check for, and remove "sediment contamination and condensed water accumulation." The airplane was last refueled and flown the day before 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: 656 hours in all; 110 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 547 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 21, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N05 Hackettstown NJ at 11:00 am
- Destination: LWM Lawrence MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 2,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from SMQ, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.