Mooney M20K accident near Ocean City, New Jersey, October 26, 1997
On October 26, 1997 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Mooney M20K, registered N252MY, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ocean City, New Jersey (Ocean City Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude. Factors in the accident were the rain and fog.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 1997 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ocean City, New Jersey · Ocean City Municipal
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20K · all M20Ks on the register
- Registration
- N252MY · no longer on the register · serial 25-1097
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During final approach, about 200 feet above ground level, the pilot experienced a loss of altitude. He added full power, but the aircraft struck a tree about 250 feet from the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported wind shear in the area. There was no evidence of pre-impact malfunction to the airplane. Winds reported at an airport 12 miles northeast were from 080 degrees at 7 knots. The airport manager reported that there was heavy rain and fog 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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 27,000 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 64 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 19,700 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 1997; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-360-MB1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BDR Bridgeport CT at 6:35 pm
- Destination: 26N
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 6, 2,977 ft by 59 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,200 ft; scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from ACY, 12 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.