Three Killed in Mooney M20J Crash Near Nampa Municipal Airport

Nampa, Idaho – July 27, 2025 — A Mooney M20J single-engine aircraft crashed into a residential area just west of Nampa Municipal Airport shortly after takeoff Sunday evening, killing all three people onboard. The flight lasted less than one minute.

The aircraft, tail number N5764H, was registered to Sleeptytime PLLC, a private operator based in Eagle, Idaho. It departed from Runway 29 at approximately 5:41 p.m. local time and reached an altitude of roughly 200 feet above ground level before executing a sharp 180-degree turn. Moments later, the plane lost control and crashed into an unoccupied structure near North Venice Street.

Emergency responders were dispatched within minutes of the crash, which was reported by multiple eyewitnesses who saw the aircraft descending rapidly and emitting smoke. The impact destroyed the aircraft and set off a brief fire. No one on the ground was hurt.

Local authorities, including Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured the public that the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation.

Investigative Focus: What Might Have Gone Wrong

While a full NTSB report could take months, early data provides clues to what led to the fatal crash. Investigators and analysts will examine several key factors:

1. Low Altitude Turn

Flight tracking data shows the plane initiated a 180-degree turn at just 200 feet AGL—a highly risky maneuver. At such a low altitude, steep turns reduce lift and increase stall risk. A stall at that height offers little to no recovery margin.

2. Environmental Conditions

The weather was clear and calm at the time of the crash, with no wind reported and visibility at nine statute miles. However, the temperature was 32°C (90°F), which can raise the density altitude, reducing aircraft performance and lift.

3. Aircraft Loading and Balance

The Mooney M20J is a high-performance, four-seat aircraft. Investigators will look into the weight and balance configuration to determine whether it was within limits. Improper loading can compromise aircraft stability, particularly during initial climb.

4. Trim Tab Misconfiguration

Improper elevator trim setting before takeoff is another possible factor. If the aircraft was trimmed excessively nose-up, it could have pitched up too steeply, causing a stall. At low speed and low altitude, this would leave the pilot with minimal time to recover.

5. Pilot Decision-Making

A return-to-field maneuver—turning back toward the airport shortly after departure—is considered one of the most hazardous decisions a pilot can make unless there is significant altitude and airspeed. It's unclear why the turn was initiated, but this will be a critical point of investigation.

Next Steps in the Investigation

The Investigation will focus on:

• Wreckage analysis, particularly engine performance and control surface positions.
• Pilot history, certifications, recent experience, and medical records.
• Maintenance logs, focusing on flight controls, trim settings, and engine condition.
• Aircraft weight, fuel load, and passenger configuration.

No mechanical issues have been confirmed at this time, but investigators will explore all avenues, including human error, systems failure, and procedural mistakes.

Conclusion

The crash of N5764H is a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with low-altitude maneuvers and the critical importance of aircraft performance awareness. Until the NTSB releases its preliminary report, the exact cause remains speculative—but the early data strongly points to a loss of control during a steep turn at unsafe altitude.

Resources:

• Aviation Safety Network – ASN Accident Report for N5764H
• FAA Aircraft Registry – N5764H
• FlightAware – Flight history for N5764H on July 27, 2025
• KTVB News – “Small plane crashes in Nampa, Idaho”
• People News – “3 Dead After Small Plane Crashes Into Building in Idaho”
• Idaho News – “Plane crashes in Nampa, kills three passengers”
• METAR data – KMAN 272335Z and 272355Z observations
• NTSB Public Safety Alert – Mooney M20J crash investigation notice

Social Media

A Daher TBM940, D-FSAM, with two persons on board crashed into Lake Lucerne, shortly after takeoff from Buochs Airport (BXO), Switzerland.
Updates: https://t.co/YSBrxJaqUD pic.twitter.com/5K2ybXdNT0

— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) July 28, 2025

NTSB investigating the July 27 crash of a Mooney M20J aircraft near Nampa, Idaho.

— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) July 28, 2025

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Confidence Rating

The information provided is based on news reports and social media sources, which may not always be fully verified. This analysis is a self-effort and does not reflect official statements or conclusions. As such, the confidence rating for this data is considered unofficial and subject to further investigation.

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