Event CEN24LA145

Factual narrative

On April 2, 2024, about 1056 central daylight time, a Mooney M20E airplane, N86UM, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Alpine, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight in a gradual descent, the airplane’s two carbon monoxide (CO) detectors began alerting, and he felt symptoms of CO poisoning. The pilot closed the cabin vents, opened a small cockpit window, and attempted to open the door, but was unsuccessful. The pilot decided to not continue the flight to the nearest airport; he shut down the engine and perform a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted unsuitable terrain and sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Contributed to outcome
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-Repair-Maintenance personnel
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-Modification/alteration-Maintenance personnel
• — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine exhaust-(general)-Damaged/degraded
• — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine exhaust-(general)-Incorrect service/maintenance