Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control while maneuvering the aircraft.
NTSB analysis
The pilot, with one passenger on-board the airplane, was to practice maneuvers with the airplane. The pilot performed "lazy 8's, circles around-a-point, S-turns, and low-flight." While doing slow flight at full power and flaps deployed, the aircraft's right wing dropped; the pilot tried to correct the problem by lowering the nose and applying aileron and rudder. However, the pilot reported that the aircraft started to spin, and oscillate left-to-right. The pilot was not able to fully recover the aircraft before impacting the surface of a lake. Both the passenger and pilot were able to open the aircraft's door and exit the craft.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DFW08CA171 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 29, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lake Ft Gibson, Oklahoma
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney M20
- N-number
- N1287X
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.