Accident Overview
On September 16, 2025, about 1040 central daylight time, a Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, registration N305EP, was substantially damaged in an accident at Pearland Regional Airport in Pearland, Texas. The pilot and a certificated flight instructor were not injured. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Purpose
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to perform an engine break-in following an engine replacement and to conduct a flight review as required by 14 CFR 61.56. The pilot reported that the initial takeoff roll proceeded as expected, with rotation occurring at the anticipated time and distance.
Events During Takeoff
After takeoff, when the airplane reached an altitude of about 10 to 15 feet above ground level, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power and overall airplane performance. He checked the throttle, propeller, and mixture settings, then retarded and re-advanced the throttle, but the engine performance did not improve. The airplane continued to lose airspeed. Recognizing that the airplane would impact the runway, the pilot retarded the mixture control to shut off the engine. He stated that during the takeoff attempt, he did not observe any misfire or unusual vibrations. The pilot did not believe that the engine lost all power; he reported that it continued to operate at reduced power until he retarded the mixture.
Outcome
The airplane landed hard on the runway, causing the left main landing gear to separate. The aircraft then slid off the left side of the runway. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The aircraft was retained for further examination.