MooneyM20M

At about 1100 central time, a Mooney M20M suffered an in-flight fire shortly after takeoff from the Destin-Ft Walton Beach Airport. The pilot was able to return for landing but suffered serious burn injuries. The pilot said he departed from runway 32 and was climbing through about 2,500 to 2,800 feet when the cockpit was enveloped in thick black smoke and flames appeared underneath the instrument panel behind the rudder pedals on both sides of the cockpit. He turned off the master switch and initiated a descending left turn with the intention of ditching the airplane. He reduced the mixture control and opened the cabin entry door in anticipation of ditching but he was able to see outside and…

At about 1930 Pacific time, a Mooney M20M crashed while attempting to go around at Ocean Ridge Airport. The pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained a minor injury. The pilot reported he had never flown into such a short runway (2,500 feet) and he overflew the runway twice before trying to land. He made the approach with full flaps at 65 knots into the setting sun. The airplane drifted left of the runway and the pilot added power to go around, at which time the airplane struck trees and terrain about 100 feet from the runway edge….

At about 19:00 EST, a Mooney M20M crashed while making an instrument approach to East Cooper Airport, killing the pilot. The pilot was planning to make a visual approach first, then come back for an instrument approach if necessary. The pilot passed over the airport without seeing it, and then asked for the instrument approach. The controller vectored him to the approach course and cleared him for the approach. Shortly after that contact was lost. Two witnesses at the East Cooper Airport said it was very foggy and they could not see the airplane as it flew over the airport. A short time later, Charleston Approach called the airport and wanted to know if the Mooney had landed. Two witnesses n…

At about 12:35 EST, a Mooney M20M was damaged when it made a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Edward F. Knapp State Airport. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said that a few minutes after takeoff the engine stopped developing full manifold pressure, then the engine lost all oil pressure. The engine began to vibrate, so the pilot shut it down and landed in a field. Examination showed the engines crankshaft seal had been blown outward. Ice was observed in the engine crankcase breather line….