At About 500 Ft Above The Ground, The Pilot Smelled An Odor, Felt A Vibration, Heard A Boom...

Location: Richmond, TX Accident Number: CEN25LA007
Date & Time: October 8, 2024, 12:35 Local Registration: N9151V
Aircraft: Mooney M20E Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 8, 2024, about 1235 central daylight time, a Mooney M20E airplane, N9151V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Covey Trails Airport (X09), Fulshear, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, at about 500 ft above the ground, the pilot smelled an odor, felt a vibration, heard a boom, and the engine lost all power. The propeller continued to windmill. During the attempt to return to the airport the airplane overran the end of runway 17, went through a fence, across a road, and came to rest in a ditch. The wing was substantially damaged.

Post accident examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determined there was fuel present in the wing tanks and no visual indications on the exterior of the engine that indicated a catastrophic failure occurred. The FAA inspector was told by the pilot that after the airplane came to rest, the pilot turned off the master switches and moved the fuel selector valve to the off position. The airplane will be recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov