What happened
On September 16, 2025, at approximately 10:40 CDT, a Mooney M20K, registration N305EP, was involved in an accident during takeoff from Pearland Regional Airport in Pearland, Texas. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purposes of an engine break-in following an engine replacement and a required flight review.
The pilot reported that the initial takeoff roll and rotation proceeded normally. However, when the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet above the ground, the pilot observed a reduction in engine power and overall aircraft performance. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the pilot checked the throttle, propeller, and mixture settings, and cycled the throttle, but engine performance did not improve.
As the aircraft continued to lose airspeed, the pilot determined an impact with the runway was imminent and retarded the mixture control to shut down the engine. The pilot noted that there was no noticeable misfire or unusual vibration during the event, and the engine continued to operate at a reduced power level until the mixture was closed.
The aircraft made a hard landing on the runway, causing the left main landing gear to separate. The aircraft then slid off the left side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and the flight instructor were not injured.