Mooney M20F accident near Fullerton, California, November 25, 2024
On November 25, 2024 at about 9:55 pm local time, a 1969 Mooney M20F, registered N9245V, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fullerton, California (Fullerton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 25, 2024 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Fullerton, California · Fullerton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F, built 1969 · all M20Fs on the register
- Registration
- N9245V · no longer on the register · serial 690066
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 25, 2024, about 1355 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20F, N9245V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL), Fullerton, California. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, they departed Brackett Field Airport (POC), La Verne, California, with the intent of performing instrument work. The pilot reported that the flight to FUL was uneventful. After they conducted a full stop landing, they taxied back to runway 24 for departure. After takeoff, they began a left turn to depart the airport traffic pattern. A short time later, the engine began to run rough, and they attempted to return to FUL. While on base leg to runway 24, the engine lost total power. The pilot stated that they were unable to make it to the runway, and initiated a forced landing to a road about 1,000 ft from the runway. During the landing sequence, the airplane struck a light pole, fire hydrant and a tree. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The wreckage has been retained for further examination.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KFUL
Weather report (METAR): KFUL 252153Z 00000KT 10SM SCT110 22/10 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP192 T02170100
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.