Accident Overview
On February 11, 2022, at approximately 2006 central standard time, a Mooney M20J airplane, registration N201VZ, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Katy, Texas. The pilot and passenger each sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Data
Review of archived Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that the airplane departed Castroville Municipal Airport (CVB) in Castroville, Texas, at about 1827, destined for West Houston Airport (IWS) in Katy, Texas. After overflying IWS at an altitude of approximately 1,075 ft GPS, the airplane turned left onto a downwind leg for landing on Runway 15. At about 650 ft GPS altitude, the airplane turned final and began descending, at which point the ADS-B data transmission ceased.
Accident Site and Damage
An FAA inspector documented the accident site. The airplane had collided with a tree, impacted terrain, and came to rest approximately 500 ft short of the runway. Substantial damage was noted to the left wing and empennage.
Postaccident Examination
Due to their injuries, neither the pilot nor the passenger could recall the events of the accident flight. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Data recovered from multiple devices containing non-volatile memory indicated no anomalies with recorded engine parameters, and all flight parameters were consistent with controlled flight.
Historical sunrise and sunset times for the Houston, Texas area on the day of the accident listed sunrise at 0704, sunset at 1807, and the end of civil twilight at 1831. The accident occurred at about 2006, after both sunset and the end of civil twilight.