About 3,200 Ft MSL (Approximately 2,000 Above Ground Level), The Engine Suddenly Lost All Power Without Any Warning

Location: Tullahoma, TN Accident Number: ERA24LA082
Date & Time: January 3, 2024, 12:26 Local Registration: N231GG
Aircraft: Mooney M20K Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 3, 2024, about 1226 central standard time, a Mooney M20K, N231GG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he had recently purchased the airplane and the accident flight was his first flight in the airplane. The accident flight was also the first flight since the airplane’s most recent annual inspection, which was completed the same day. No anomalies were noted during the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, and engine run-up. The airplane took off uneventfully from runway 36 at Tullahoma Regional Airport (THA), Tullahoma, Tennessee. The pilot then made a right turn southeast for the 20-mile flight back to his home airport, Franklin Country Airport (UOS), Sewanee, Tennessee.

The pilot had planned to climb to 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl) for the short flight home. About 3,200 ft msl (approximately 2,000 above ground level), the engine suddenly lost all power without any warning. At that time, the airplane was about 4 miles from THA and the pilot turned back to the airport in an attempt to glide to runway 24. He also tried to restart the engine; however, it was seized and he could not rotate the propeller via the starter motor. The pilot was unable to glide the airplane to the runway, and it impact hilly terrain about 1/2-mile prior to the runway.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that it came to rest upright, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The inspector noted that adequate fuel remained in both wing fuel tanks.

The engine was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov