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This post serves to post the 2018 Mooney Fatal Accidents so we can learn and discuss prevention methods in an effort to lower future fatal accidents for our community. I'll break down the info as best I can, and I will highlight possible causes if they are not identified by the NTSB. In 2018, there were seven fatal accidents resulting in 9 fatalities. 02/2018 - CFIT (final report) - The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a visual approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. 03/2018 - Loss of aircraft control (final report) - The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Report speculates that a possible factor was the pilot's seat slide back. There is not enough evidence to support that claim but it is something that has caused Mooney crashes. 04/2018 - Loss of aircraft control (final report) - The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while departing in instrument meteorological conditions, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. *My take: this could have also been spatial disorientation which drove loss of aircraft control. 08/01/2018 - Loss of aircraft control (final report) - Loss of aircraft control in the final turn. The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in a cross-control aerodynamic stall, spin, and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action in preventing the stall. 08/11/2018 - Loss of aircraft control (final report) - Loss of aircraft control in the final turn. The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the landing approach as a result of his diversion of attention after a series of non-essential aircraft systems became inoperative following the failure of the engine-driven vacuum pump, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. 09/2018 - Loss of aircraft control (final report) - The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around due to his premature flap retraction, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. 11/2018 - Collision with terrain (final Report) - for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor preflight planning and poor decision to depart on the accident flight. Recommendations/takeaways for us: 1. For 2018, Loss of aircraft control accounts for 71% of Mooney fatalities. This is statistically significant and much higher than 2017. 2. Task management and misprioritization of a non-critical system malfunction are contributing factors in two of these accidents. Systems knowledge and a good scan of available instrument data can help pilots correctly identify the malfunction and categorize it as a "land as soon as possible" vs "land as soon as practical." For us at Mooneyspace, when is the last time you read the POH and reviewed critical systems such as your electric, fuel, and vacuum setup? If you can't remember, please set aside some time to study. 3. For those of us who are CFI/CFII, the 08/01/18 crash should serve as a reminder to know when a student/pilot has exceeded their limits and take aircraft control prior to exceeding yours. Everyone has techniques, but for those who are new CFIs, realize be conservative in your approach. Sometimes, pilot error can put the plane in such a position that there is no time for a verbal correction, and a physical intervention is required to maintain a flying attitude. 4. 2018 saw a 42% higher accident rate compared to 2017 Mooney fatal accidents. Also of note, none of the fatal accidents in 2018 were related to catastrophic mechanical failure such as engine or structural failure. Lack of proficiency, lack of currency, and a breakdown in instrument crosscheck led to loss of situational awareness for almost all of these accidents. For those who fly regularly for travel, set aside some time to practice approaches and landings, or practice instrument approaches. For those have large breaks in flying, spend the time with a CFI and focus on tasks you are rusty or weak at and build your proficiency and confidence. These are just my observations and thoughts on how to help our community analyze accidents and how to incorporate what we learn into our safety culture.