Lost in the Foliage

[1964-M20E]

It is a shame to see a fine airplane just wasting away.  The plane appears to be a 64 E model.

Where is it located?

I wonder if it could be rescued.  Current value $0 Cost to restore $60k+ Value after $40 - $50k L

 

 

[Piloto]

At the rate fuel prices are going up this will not be the only one.

José

[scottfromiowa]

Part this thing out!  There is a lot of value there.  What a bummer....

[scottfromiowa]

Part this thing out!

[Ron McBride]

Fuel prices going up.   Remember a Cherokee 180 and others, burn the same fuel and travel less distance. this makes my Mooney look better and batter.

Ron

[bradp]

I think I saw that plane listed on BT website last week.  NDH and "a steal".  

 

In all seriousness it is a shame to see that plane in such a condition.

[Seth]

There is an M20J like that at Freeway (W00).  The story on it is that it was invovled in some sort of legal issue and literally is not allowed to be moved, so it sits in the grass tiedown where it's been for 20+ years.  It pretty much is worth the scrapmetal at this point.  I'll see if I can find a picture or take one at some point.

-Seth

[Shadrach]

From the other pics that blueskytraveler has posted it appears that there is a weed engulfed twin Cessna nearby. It looks that they've already started to cannibalize the rudderless Cessna.

[KSMooniac]

That should be criminal!  What a sad sight.  

[Shadrach]

That is a big friggin' side window door...is it stock?

[1964-M20E]

I noticed that as well. ???

Emergency exit for your dog. :-))

[Jerry 5TJ]

I just had a look at the FAA registry and counted up all the N numbered Mooneys.    List below.  

Closer to home, how about my "C" model?    Pilotfriend.com lists 2,045 "C" models built from 1962 through 1978 (none at all in 1971-1974) so about 3/4 of those birds are still on the registry.

A fraction of the registred ones are not airworthy.  Now that the FAA renews registrations every three years a number of grounded birds may drop off the records. 

I'd estimate there are no more than 1000 "C" model Mooneys still worth anything, with several hundred in the weeds and in abandonded states here and there.   Still, that half of the population of "C"  are still flying after 40+ years is a testament to their lasting value, or....something.

 

FAA Registry as of 2/27/2012
	M20	107
	M20A	240
	M20B	137
	M20C	1,592
	M20D	122
	M20E	1,073
	M20F	881
	M20G	147
Pre J	TOTAL	4,299
	M20J	1,557
	M20K	888
	M20L	27
	M20M	269
	M20R	426
	M20S	61
	M20T	1
	M20TN	115
Post J	TOTAL	3,344
All M20	TOTAL	7,643
All M18	TOTAL	160
All M22	TOTAL	20

[aviatoreb]

Quote: jerry-N5911Q

I just had a look at the FAA registry and counted up all the N numbered Mooneys.    List below.  

Closer to home, how about my "C" model?    Pilotfriend.com lists 2,045 "C" models built from 1962 through 1978 (none at all in 1971-1974) so about 3/4 of those birds are still on the registry.

A fraction of the registred ones are not airworthy.  Now that the FAA renews registrations every three years a number of grounded birds may drop off the records. 

I'd estimate there are no more than 1000 "C" model Mooneys still worth anything, with several hundred in the weeds and in abandonded states here and there.   Still, that half of the population of "C"  are still flying after 40+ years is a testament to their lasting value, or....something.

 

FAA Registry as of 2/27/2012

 

M20

107

 

M20A

240

 

M20B

137

 

M20C

1,592

 

M20D

122

 

M20E

1,073

 

M20F

881

 

M20G

147

Pre J

TOTAL

4,299

 

 

 

 

M20J

1,557

 

M20K

888

 

M20L

27

 

M20M

269

 

M20R

426

 

M20S

61

 

M20T

1

 

M20TN

115

Post J

TOTAL

3,344

 

 

 

All M20

TOTAL

7,643

 

 

 

All M18

TOTAL

160

 

 

 

All M22

TOTAL

20

[John Pleisse]

Ya never know.... crack that baby open.....it might not be as bad as it looks. Do it in the winter...fewer snakes and critters.

If it were free.... I'd come and get it.

[triple8s]

I have AWAYS been one that all too often sees the glass half full. Sometimes this is good and other times it may not be so good; that being said since MAC is not producing anything anymore these old aircraft are definately worth something as parts but the longer that they set out in the weather the fewer parts that will actually be useable over time. There is a vintage "E" model wasting away on tie down at my home airport and it pains me to watch it rot down in its tracks.

[KSMooniac]

Being registered does not necessarily mean they're still airworthy, much less in flying condition.  I'd be shocked if any of the M22's were still flying.  

I would have loved the chance to get a free derelict as a teenager and student/young pilot.  I would have been willing to take such a plane and try to bring it back from the dead since a project like that is largely labor-intensive, at least until it comes time to buy some of the major bits.

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: triple8s

I have AWAYS been one that all too often sees the glass half full. Sometimes this is good and other times it may not be so good; that being said since MAC is not producing anything anymore these old aircraft are definately worth something as parts but the longer that they set out in the weather the fewer parts that will actually be useable over time. There is a vintage "E" model wasting away on tie down at my home airport and it pains me to watch it rot down in its tracks.

[orangemtl]

I recall an estimate somewhere, that 11-12,000 Mooneys have been produced, ever.

For 7800 to remain (subtracting the technically existent but out of commission here, compensated by the working international contingent) is, I think quite a feat.  It will clearly be a shrinking number until/unless Mooney rejoins the production world. Fascinating to me that at least as many M18s exist, as Acclaims!

[jetdriven]

Ignore.  Posting/login error

[jetdriven]

Quote: N4352H

Ya never know.... crack that baby open.....it might not be as bad as it looks. Do it in the winter...fewer snakes and critters.

If it were free.... I'd come and get it.

[Bolter]

Quote: jetdriven

The above was me: posting system error.  Sorry Jetdriven.

-dan

[M20F]

Quote: KSMooniac

Being registered does not necessarily mean they're still airworthy, much less in flying condition.  I'd be shocked if any of the M22's were still flying.  

[N9453V]

Quote: jerry-N5911Q

I just had a look at the FAA registry and counted up all the N numbered Mooneys.    List below.  

Closer to home, how about my "C" model?    Pilotfriend.com lists 2,045 "C" models built from 1962 through 1978 (none at all in 1971-1974) so about 3/4 of those birds are still on the registry.

A fraction of the registred ones are not airworthy.  Now that the FAA renews registrations every three years a number of grounded birds may drop off the records. 

I'd estimate there are no more than 1000 "C" model Mooneys still worth anything, with several hundred in the weeds and in abandonded states here and there.   Still, that half of the population of "C"  are still flying after 40+ years is a testament to their lasting value, or....something.

 

FAA Registry as of 2/27/2012

 

M20

107

 

M20A

240

 

M20B

137

 

M20C

1,592

 

M20D

122

 

M20E

1,073

 

M20F

881

 

M20G

147

Pre J

TOTAL

4,299

 

 

 

 

M20J

1,557

 

M20K

888

 

M20L

27

 

M20M

269

 

M20R

426

 

M20S

61

 

M20T

1

 

M20TN

115

Post J

TOTAL

3,344

 

 

 

All M20

TOTAL

7,643

 

 

 

All M18

TOTAL

160

 

 

 

All M22

TOTAL

20

[BlueSkyTraveler]

The plane is sitting at Donegal Springs, PA  identifier N71

Appears to be registered to a St. Louis individual?!?!?

N900TL is the tail number.

 

If anyone has any info please share.........

[Shadrach]

From the google earth historical images, it appears this aircraft stopped flying more recently than we may think. Images between 2005 and 2008. During that time span images show it in various tiedowns around the airport or not at all until it ends up in what looks like its current resting place in mid-2008.  It seems to have deteriorated quickly, but it may not be as bad as it looks (which is admittedly horrible)...