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Accidents · NTSB WPR19LA167 · Final report

Mooney M20V accident near Phoenix, Arizona, June 11, 2019

On June 11, 2019 at about 9:51 pm local time, a 2019 Mooney M20V, registered N576CM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Deer Valley airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined with the available evidence.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
June 11, 2019 · about 9:51 pm local time
Place
Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix Deer Valley · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Mooney M20V, built 2019 · all M20Vs on the register
Registration
N576CM · no longer on the register · serial 33-0015
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

During a personal flight, the pilot notified air traffic control that he had a rough-running engine, and the pilot declared an emergency. The controller advised the pilot of two diversion airports; the first was located near the airplane’s position at the time, and the second was located about 12 miles south of the airplane’s position. The pilot elected to divert to the second airport. The pilot advised the controller a few minutes later that the airplane would be unable to reach that airport, and the radar track showed a right turn toward the other airport, which was about 8 miles east from the airplane’s position. No further communication from the pilot was received. A witness located near the accident site reported that the airplane maneuvered to avoid power lines and struck light poles before it impacted the ground. A postimpact fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that engine control continuity was established from all the engine controls to their respective engine components. The engine exhibited extensive thermal damage. To prepare the engine for test runs performed by the manufacturer, several components and accessories were replaced due to thermal damage. The engine was successfully run at various power settings. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the recovered parts of the engine and airframe that would have precluded normal operation. As a result, the reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.

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

  1. Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
  2. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent

The NTSB's findings

  • Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
  • Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 429 hours in all; 18 in this make and model
  • Last flight review: December 10, 2017
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: serious injuries

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, April 13, 2019
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Continental Motors TSIO-550-G (piston); 0 hours total
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: SDL Scottsdale AZ at 9:37 pm
  • Destination: CXP Carson City NV
  • Flight plan: VFR
  • Runway 07R, 8,196 ft by 100 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
  • Temperature: 108°F (42°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
  • Observation at 9:54 pm from KGEU, 13 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

9 documents, released by the NTSB on April 26, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

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.