Mooney M20J accident near Rhinebeck, New York, June 2, 1991
On June 2, 1991 at about 8:14 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N201YS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rhinebeck, New York (Old Rhinebeck airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN FLYING SPEED, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO MAKE THE TAKEOFF UNDER THE EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 1991 · about 8:14 pm local time
- Place
- Rhinebeck, New York · Old Rhinebeck · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N201YS · no longer on the register · serial 24-0524
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A GRASS RUNWAY WITH CALM WINDS. HE SAID HE BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1600 FEET, RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND REMAINED LEVEL TO ACCELERATE. HE SAID HE STARTED A CLIMB AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN TOO STEEP BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND FELL OFF ON THE RIGHT WING. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED INTO TREES. THE TEMPERATURE WAS REPORTED TO BE 75 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS A LITTLE HIGH. THERE WERE TREES AT BOTH ENDS OF THE 2200 FOOT LONG RUNWAY AND THE SURFACE WAS UNDULATING.
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; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,900 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 3,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: AGC Pittsburgh PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.