Mooney M20J accident near Lake Havasu City, Arizona, May 14, 2026
On May 14, 2026 at about 10:23 pm local time, a 1979 Mooney M20J, registered N4665H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lake Havasu City, Arizona (Lake Havasu City airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 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
- May 14, 2026 · about 10:23 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Havasu City, Arizona · Lake Havasu City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J, built 1979 · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N4665H · registry record · serial 24-0803
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 14, 2026, at 1523, a Mooney M20J, N4665H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the flight had departed from Flagstaff, Arizona, following an annual inspection. The flight was destined for San Diego, with a fuel stop at Lake Havasu City Airport (HII), Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The flight was uneventful and they landed at HII without incident. The airplane was topped off with about 25 gallons and as they taxied away from the self-serve fuel station, the engine began to “run rough, sputter, and was missing.” The pilot did a run up to full rpm to clear the engine and then decided to park the airplane at a nearby FBO and asked a mechanic for some assistance; however, the mechanic did not inspect the airframe or engine. The pilot stated that he sumped both fuel tanks and saw no debris or anything unusual in the fuel. He contacted his mechanic and relayed that the engine was running rough. He performed another run-up and it “smoothed out” when he leaned the engine. The pilot decided to continue the flight and departed to their destination. During the takeoff initial climb from runway 14, about 200 ft above ground level (agl) the engine was not producing enough power to maintain altitude, and he elected to make a turn back to the runway to land. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground short of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was recovered to a secure storage facility.
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 (partial) during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,772.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2026
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Winrick LLC
The flight
- Runway 14/3, 8,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 3:23 pm from KHII
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHII 142255Z AUTO 22011G16KT 10SM CLR 36/M01 A2975 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 2 | |||
| Flight crew | 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.