Mooney M20C accident near Reno, Nevada, June 8, 2015
On June 8, 2015 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 1964 Mooney M20C, registered N7887V, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Reno, Nevada (Reno/Stead airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight separation of the exhaust tube at a weld joint due to erosion and corrosion, which resulted in a subsequent in-flight fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2015 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Reno/Stead · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20C NO SERIES, built 1964 · all M20Cs on the register
- Registration
- N7887V · no longer on the register · serial 2849
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot reported that, while on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, he noticed smoke in the cockpit. The pilot-rated passenger then took control of the airplane and initiated a forced landing. As the pilot and his passenger exited the airplane, they observed flames originating from the lower cowling area near the air intake. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the tube from the turbocharger wastegate to the exhaust was separated into two pieces along a weld joint at the exhaust side of the tube. Corrosion and erosion were noted throughout the areas of the separated exhaust tubes, which included thinning of the wall thickness. In addition, a heavy amount of oil was observed in the area surrounding the tube. It is likely that when the tube failed at the weld joint, it allowed hot exhaust gases to escape from the exhaust and turbocharger that subsequently ignited an in-flight fire.
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
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › (general) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 23,000 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 22,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,652.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 16, 2015; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 2,652 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 10:00 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 7,608 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from KRTS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.