Preliminary information
On July 8, 2026, at 1148 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20 airplane was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tallahassee, Florida. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, the airplane had recently been sold, and he had been hired to ferry it from Florida to Texas. Prior to the flight, a known mechanical issue existed with the No. 5 cylinder. During the flight, the engine began surging, prompting the pilot to divert to Tallahassee International Airport (TLH), Tallahassee, Florida.
While on the approach to TLH, about 1,000 feet mean sea level, all engine power was lost. The airplane subsequently impacted heavily wooded terrain about one-half mile short of Runway 18.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that traveled to the scene, about 14 gallons of fuel were recovered from the wreckage following the accident.
The airplane and engine have been recovered and retained for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ANC26LA070 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 8, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tallahassee, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Tallahassee Intl (TLH)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney M20M
- N-number
- N488AT
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1991
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Ferry
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.