Accident Overview
On August 27, 2025, at about 1741 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20J, registration N5764H, was destroyed when it struck a storage structure near Nampa, Idaho. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. According to family members, the intended flight was from Nampa Municipal Airport (MAN) to McMinnville Municipal Airport (MMV) in McMinnville, Oregon.
Flight Path
Review of preliminary ADS-B data indicated the airplane departed runway 29 at MAN around 1740:00. At 1740:28, the airplane crossed the departure end runway threshold at about 50 feet above ground level (agl) with a groundspeed of 67 knots. Subsequent ADS-B points showed the airplane climbing while its groundspeed gradually decreased and the flight path drifted left of the runway centerline. About 57 seconds into the flight, the airplane recorded a groundspeed of 58 knots at an altitude of 2,875 feet mean sea level (msl), or 338 feet agl. Two seconds later, the groundspeed increased to 59 knots while at the same altitude. The groundspeed then continued to increase, and the airplane's altitude remained level for about 6 seconds before descending. The last ADS-B data point showed the airplane at 2,800 feet msl with a groundspeed of 68 knots, located about 130 feet east of the accident site.
Impact and Wreckage
The airplane impacted a storage structure and came to rest upright in a nose-low attitude. Powerlines, trees, and nearby residential structures sustained no damage. The wreckage debris area measured about 50 feet by 50 feet. All major structural components were accounted for. The nose came to rest on a magnetic heading of 196°. The propeller, engine, and nose landing gear were displaced aft into the forward cockpit area. The cockpit and cabin were vertically compressed throughout their length. The inboard portions of both wings remained attached; both fuel tanks were breached. The left and right main landing gear remained attached and appeared extended. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and elevator were unremarkable; the left horizontal stabilizer sustained impact damage. Flight control continuity was established from all primary controls to the cockpit. The airplane was recovered for further examination.
Weather Information
The field elevation at MAN is 2,537 feet. The automated weather observing station reported calm wind, visibility 9 statute miles, temperature 89°F, and altimeter setting 29.93 inHg. The calculated density altitude was 5,141 feet.