Mooney M20E
Aircraft Manufacturer: Mooney
Model: M20E
About the Mooney M20E
The Mooney M20E is a piston-powered, four-seat, low-wing general aviation aircraft, introduced by Mooney as the M20E Super 21 in 1964 and fitted with a fuel-injected 200-horsepower Lycoming engine. By active registrations, the type holds Mooney's third-largest active fleet, with more than 800 examples still on the U.S. civil registry.
About 60% of all M20Es ever entered on the U.S. registry are still active. Across the type's FAA-registration exposure, the model records about 2.6 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years, and within a peer cohort matched on type, engine class, and seat range, it carries a higher accident rate than only about one in seven comparable types. Of 45 recorded accidents, 11 involved a fatality.
Two airworthiness directives remain active against the type. The most recent was issued March 20, 2012.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Mooney |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 5870212 |
| Model | M20E |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Cruise Speed | 127 MPH / 110 knots |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats |
Share your captured photos of the Mooney M20E, receive attribution and a link. Safety Analysis
Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
43 exact, 2 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
11 fatal accidents.
24.4% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
17,514
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
Within its peer cohort
Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).
This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →
Accidents by year
Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →
Phase of flight
Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.
Finding category
Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (45)· NUSN (2)· 129 (1)
Recorded Accidents
All 45 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | N11LV | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Not determined | |
| Julian, CA | N7145U | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Guymon, OK | N9330M | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| Middletown, OH | N199Q | Substantial | Serious | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Angel Fire, NM | N3484X | Substantial | Fatal | Takeoff | Environmental issues, Personnel issues | |
| Gurdon, AR | N9493V | Substantial | None | Enroute | Not determined | |
| Gresham, WI | N5642Q | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Marked Tree, AR | N1310W | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | Aircraft | |
| Englewood, CO | N2609W | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| San Antonio, TX | N9224M | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Frankston, TX | N55FE | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| St. Petersburg, FL | N7828V | unknown | None | Approach | Aircraft, Organizational issues | |
| Colorado Springs, CO | N79869 | Substantial | Fatal | Approach | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Seligman, AZ | N9614V | Substantial | Minor | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| New Smyrna Beach, FL | N5743Q | Substantial | Minor | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Rio Linda, CA | N3463X | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Not determined, Personnel issues | |
| San Antonio, TX | N1264X | Substantial | None | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Big Creek, ID | N5652Q | Substantial | Serious | Landing | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Lake Ft Gibson, OK | N1287X | Substantial | Minor | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Erie, CO | N79833 | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Environmental issues |
Page 2 of 2 (showing accidents 26–45 of 45).