NTSB Preliminary: Mooney M20J 201, N1151H, fatal accident occurred on April 17, 2026, near Union County Airport/Troy Shelton Field (35A), Union, South Carolina

• Location: Union, SC 
• Accident Number: WPR26FA160 
• Date & Time: April 17, 2026, 17:50 Local 
• Registration: N1151H Aircraft: Mooney M20J 
• Injuries: 4 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202819/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=1151H

On April 17, 2026, about 1750 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N1151H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Union, South Carolina. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

A review of preliminary ADS-B data revealed that during cruise flight about 1 hour and 13 minutes into the cross-country flight, the airplane diverted south and landed on runway 5 at Union County Airport (35A), Troy Shelton Field, Union, South Carolina. 

Surveillance video from the airport security system showed the accident airplane taxi to the airport fuel pumps after landing. The occupants disembarked and the pilot refueled the airplane. About 30 minutes after landing, the occupants boarded the airplane and then taxied to the departure end of runway 23. A few minutes later another video captured the airplane during climbout about 1,000 ft from the departure end of runway 23, about 200 ft above ground level. The airplane banked right then quickly rolled left and descended behind trees. Subsequently, a plume of smoke rose from the trees. 

No one was reported to have witnessed the accident flight. 

The accident site was located in wooded and hilly terrain about 1,270 ft from the departure end of runway 23. The accident site was at an elevation of about 520 ft mean sea level (msl) and on a magnetic heading of about 223? from the departure end of runway 23. The debris field was on slightly sloping terrain and all of the wreckage remained within a radius of about 40 ft from the main wreckage. The majority of the wreckage was consumed by postimpact fire. All primary flight controls were observed during the accident site examination. Small portions of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were observed attached to the empennage, which exhibited excessive thermal damage and remained attached to the main wreckage.

The wreckage was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.

ScaleWings SW-51 Mustang, N551EV, accident occurred on April 10, 2026, near Lincoln County Regional Airport (IPJ/KIPJ), Lincolnton, North Carolina

• Location: Iron Station, NC 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA169 
• Date & Time: April 10, 2026, 17:32 Local 
• Registration: N551EV Aircraft: ERIC VARGOSKO SW-51 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202819/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N551EV

On April 10, 2026, about 1732 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built SW-51 airplane, N551EV, sustained minor damage when it was involved in an accident near Iron Station, North Carolina. The front seat pilot sustained minor injuries, and the back seat pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The front seat pilot and owner reported that a new propeller had been installed on the airplane two days before the accident flight. The morning of the accident flight he was informed by the back seat pilot that flight testing with the new propeller had been accomplished. That afternoon they departed Gastonia Municipal Airport (AKH), Gastonia, North Carolina for a flight in the local area before landing at Lincoln County Regional Airport (IPJ), Lincolnton, North Carolina for fuel. He reported that they fully fueled the airplane and upon lifting off he noticed the ball in the slip/skid indicator was moving right and left. He informed the back seat pilot who took control of the airplane. The back seat pilot landed in an open field about 0.5 nautical miles from the departure end of runway 23 at IPJ.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Fuel exhaustion: Cessna 177B Cardinal, N159RJ, accident occurred on October 16, 2025, near Cynthiana, Kentucky

• Location: Cynthiana, Kentucky 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA018 
• Date & Time: October 16, 2025, 17:40 UTC 
• Registration: N159RJ 
• Aircraft: Cessna 177 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201875/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201875

The pilot departed on the 130 nautical mile cross country flight, with about 14 gallons of aviation fuel, or 7 gallons per side. After departure, the airplane climbed to a cruising altitude of 2,500 ft mean sea level and proceeded normally. About 50 minutes into the flight, the engine began to run rough with a simultaneous decrease in engine rpm, manifold pressure and fuel pressure. 

The pilot diverted to a nearby airport and attempted to troubleshoot the rough running engine by advancing the throttle, moving the mixture to full rich and activating the auxiliary fuel pump, which provided brief improvement, before fuel pressure continued to decrease. Unable to maintain level flight, the pilot attempted a forced landing in a field. During the approach, the pilot observed powerlines on short final, and the airplane’s left wing clipped a powerline resulting in a loss of control and a hard landing on rough terrain. The airplane came to rest against a fence and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. 

The pilot reported that he manually dipped the fuel tanks before the flight with a calibrated fuel dipstick; however, he was unable to produce the dipstick or confirm the origin of calibration. In addition, he stated that the engine instruments indicated that he had 27 minutes of fuel remaining at the time, the engine roughness occurred. 

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel system was intact and undamaged, the engine fuel supply lines were devoid of fuel, and the total fuel recovered from both fuel tanks was 1 quart. 

Based on the absence of mechanical anomalies, the lack of fuel in the fuel tanks and engine fuel supply lines, the pilot’s inability to provide or substantiate the calibration of the fuel dipstick, and his overreliance on fuel quantity instrumentation, it is likely that pilot departed with an inaccurate assessment of the available fuel, and the resulting loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the impact with powerlines during final approach.

Turbulence encounter: Aviat A-1C-200 Husky, N96WJ, accident occurred on October 4, 2025, near Evanston, Wyoming

• Location: Evanston, Wyoming 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA048 
• Date & Time: October 4, 2025, 17:00 Local 
• Registration: N96WJ Aircraft: Aviat A1 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Turbulence encounter 
• Injuries: 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202034/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202034

The pilot reported that he was flying cross-country to his home airport. While en route, the pilot determined that weather conditions prevented continued flight to his planned destination, and chose to divert to another airport. According to the pilot, while en route to his diversion airport over mountainous terrain, he encountered low ceilings of about 500 to 1,000 ft above ground level and strong downdrafts. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and impacted rising terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and both wings. 

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that the accident would likely have been prevented if he had stopped at an airport he had passed prior to reaching the mountainous terrain.

- Probable Cause: The airplane's encounter with downdrafts in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue the flight through mountainous terrain in marginal weather conditions. 

Aerodynamic stall/spin: LET L-23 Super Blanik, N231LS, accident occurred on September 6, 2025, at Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina

• Location: Ridgeland, South Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA336 
• Date & Time: September 6, 2025, 16:15 Local 
• Registration: N231LS Aircraft: LET L-23 SUPER BLANIK 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200972/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200972

The pilot was conducting her second solo flight in pursuit of a glider rating for her private pilot certificate. The pilot stated that while in the airport traffic pattern, she was too high on the base leg and made several 360° turns near the south end of the runway in an attempt to lose altitude. After leveling off, she realized she was still too high and entered a slip without the use of the spoilers, but the glider floated toward the departure end of the runway. With little runway remaining, she attempted a right turn, but the left wing dropped, consistent with an aerodynamic stall, and contacted the ground. The glider came to rest upright in a grassy area near the end of the runway. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering to return for landing after a runway overshoot. 

Loss of control in flight: Tricks Trike Storm, UNREG, accident occurred on October 13, 2025, near Gaffney, South Carolina

• Location: Gaffney, South Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA017 
• Date & Time: October 13, 2025, 17:10 Local 
• Registration: UNREG 
• Aircraft: Tricks Trike Storm 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
• Injuries: 2 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201866/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201866

The pilot of an unregistered experimental weight-shift-control aircraft was attempting to depart from private property with one passenger onboard. The pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, while attempting to clear trees, the aircraft stalled and impacted terrain. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

Turbulence encounter: Embraer ERJ-175LR (ERJ-170-200 LR), N110SY, accident occurred on August 28, 2025, near Peaster, Texas

• Location: Peaster, Texas
• Accident Number: DCA25LA307
• Date & Time: August 28, 2025, 19:27 Local
• Registration: N110SY
• Aircraft: EMBRAER S A ERJ 170-200 LL
• Aircraft Damage: None
• Defining Event: Turbulence encounter
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 3 Minor, 39 None
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Scheduled

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200899/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200899

SkyWest flight 5971, a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), Aspen, Colorado, to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, Texas, diverted to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Austin, Texas, after encountering severe turbulence at FL390. As a result, one passenger received serious injuries. 

The first officer, the pilot flying, stated they did not see significant weather near their route from ASE to IAH, but the flight crew did brief on the possibility of small thunderstorm cells developing as a threat while flying toward IAH. The flight crew stated that extra fuel was added to the airplane in preparation for possible deviations due to weather and that flight attendants (FAs) were briefed on turbulence when departing ASE. The departure from ASE was without incident. 

While en route to IAH, the flight crew was cleared by air traffic control (ATC) to deviate left and right of the planned flight course due to thunderstorms in the area. The flight crew stated the seatbelt sign was illuminated due to these deviations from the planned flight course. The captain stated they used the onboard weather radar to look for heavy precipitation returns, but none showed up for their flight trajectory. Furthermore, the captain stated they did not receive information from their dispatcher or recommendations from ATC prior to encountering severe turbulence. 

The flight crew recalled that the encounter with severe turbulence was sudden and unanticipated when the flight was clear of clouds. The first officer performed an upset recovery procedure and began an immediate descent and the captain contacted ATC and declared an emergency. The airplane leveled off at FL370 at the conclusion of the upset recovery procedure.

When the severe turbulence was encountered, one flight attendant (FA) was in the aisle preparing the cabin and the other was in the forward galley. Both FAs were thrown to the floor and remained there until the turbulence subsided. There were also two passengers out of their seats at the time of the turbulence. One passenger was in the aisle and was thrown to floor but was able to return to his seat. The other passenger was discovered by the aft FA in the aft lavatory with head injuries. The FA assisted this passenger to the aft FA jumpseat. 

Shortly after the recovery, the flight crew received a “cabin altitude high” warning on the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). The flight crew donned their oxygen masks and initiated an emergency descent to 10,000 ft. Subsequently, the flight diverted to AUS and landed without further incident. Emergency medical personnel met the airplane at the gate and transported both passengers to the hospital. One passenger was treated and released with minor injuries and the other was diagnosed with a fractures to her vertebra, tibia, and ribs. Postaccident examination of the airplane found the outflow valve that regulates cabin pressure had malfunctioned.

- Probable Cause: The airplane’s encounter with convective turbulence that resulted in serious injuries to a passenger who was out of their seat when the seatbelt sign was illuminated.

Loss of engine power (total): Azalea Saberwing, N120SW, accident occurred on June 10, 2024, in Valdosta, Georgia

• Location: Valdosta, Georgia 
• Accident Number: ERA24LA258 
• Date & Time: June 10, 2024, 20:00 Local 
• Registration: N120SW 
• Aircraft: Clapp Saberwing 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total) 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194462/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194462

On June 10, 2024, about 2000 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Clapp Saberwing airplane, N120SW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Valdosta, Georgia. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight.

The pilot departed the airport on a local flight to perform system checks of the experimental amateur-built airplane. During a functional check of the ignition system, while the pilot was selecting between the points and electronic ignition at a high engine power setting, the engine lost all power about 8 miles away from the airport. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the pilot declared an emergency and executed a forced landing to a field. The airplane subsequently impacted a utility line and came to rest inverted in a field about 2 miles from the airport. The right wing, fuselage, and empennage sustained substantial damage. 

Postaccident examination of the automotive conversion engine revealed that the woodruff key that indexed the crankshaft gear and hub assembly to the crankshaft was sheared. The gear and hub assembly had rotated about 30° from its indexed position, resulting in the crankshaftto-camshaft timing being out of alignment and a subsequent total loss of engine power. According to the pilot, who had built the engine about 17 years and 20 flight hours before the accident, when switching from points to electronic ignition sources, there was a small interval for the electronics to power up, resulting in a jolt across the engine when power was restored. The jolt, at a high power setting, was likely enough to rotate the gear and shear the woodruff key.

- Probable Cause: The total loss of engine power due to the shearing of the woodruff key that indexed the crankshaft gear and hub assembly to the crankshaft, which resulted in the gear and hub rotating from their indexed position and caused the crankshaft-to-camshaft timing to become misaligned.

Loss of control in flight: Aero Adventure Aventura II, N508K, accident occurred on July 3, 2025, at DeLand Municipal Airport (DED/KDED), DeLand, Florida

• Location: DeLand, Florida 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA256 
• Date & Time: July 3, 2025, 10:15 Local 
• Registration: N508K 
• Aircraft: Kyle Koncak Aventura II 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200457/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200457

The uncertificated pilot was attempting to depart in the accident airplane. Surveillance video from the airport captured the accident sequence and showed the airplane in a steep right bank with the wings near vertical and descending. The airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident body camera video from first responders showed a seat cushion strap wrapped around the control stick. A mechanic who worked at the airport reported that they used the seat cushion strap as an improvised gust lock, with this strap wrapped around the control stick, the stick would be held fully aft and to the right. Postaccident examination found no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing of blood that had been collected from the pilot at the hospital on the day of the accident at 1045. Methamphetamine was detected at 536 ng/mL and amphetamine was detected at 62 ng/mL. Alprazolam was detected at 31 ng/mL. In living people, methamphetamine blood concentrations of 20-50 ng/mL are typical with medicinal use, while methamphetamine blood concentrations over 200 ng/mL generally represent abuse.

The pilot’s blood methamphetamine level indicates he likely had abused methamphetamine and was likely experiencing some impairing effects at the time of the accident. Methamphetamine use can severely impair piloting abilities, as the effects of use include poor judgment, risky behavior, and cognitive dysfunction. However, the specifics of these effects cannot be determined from a single measured level. In addition, alprazolam and the conditions for which it is typically prescribed have the potential to cause impairment.

- Probable Cause: The uncertificated pilot’s failure to remove an improvised gust lock which resulted in a loss of aircraft control at an altitude too low to recover.

Mooney M20F Executive 21, N9165V, incident occurred on May 5, 2026, at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB), Long Beach, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9165V

- History of Flight:
On May 5, 2026, at about 1117 local time, a Mooney M20F Executive 21, N9165V, sustained unknown damage when it suffered a landing gear collapse on runway 26L at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB), Long Beach, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Camarillo Airport (CMA/KCMA), Camarillo, California, at 1007.

At 1053, the winds were from 290° at 10 knots, gusting 15 knots. At 1132, the winds were from 260°at 9 knots.

- Weather:

METAR KLGB 051753Z 29010G15KT 10SM SCT075 18/09 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP147 T01780089 10189 20133 53009

METAR KLGB 051832Z 26009KT 10SM BKN075 19/08 A2997 RMK AO2 T01940078

Lancair IV, N9276M, incident occurred on May 5, 2026, at Pegasus Airpark (5AZ3), Queen Creek, Arizona

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9276M

- History of Flight:
On May 5, 2026, at about 1059 local time, a Lancair IV, N9276M, registered to Blucor Transportation LLC, sustained unknown damage when it landed gearup on runway 26 and veered off the side into the grass at Pegasus Airpark (5AZ3), Queen Creek, Arizona. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from the airpark.

- Weather:

METAR KIWA 051652Z 23013KT 170V280 10SM BKN040 BKN085 23/10 A2989

METAR KIWA 051751Z 24004G15KT 120V250 10SM SCT045 SCT050 BKN085 22/10 A2989 RMK LTG DSNT E

METAR KIWA 051848Z 25008G14KT 10SM SCT060 SCT085 23/08 A2989 RMK LTG DSNT NE

Air Tractor AT-602, N422TW, accident occurred on May 5, 2026, near El Campo, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N422TW

- History of Flight:
On May 5, 2026, at about 1645 local time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N422TW, registered to Sug-Air LLC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near El Campo, Texas. The pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft caught a gust of wind on takeoff and crashed in a field."

Cameron C80, N4022X, accident occurred on May 2, 2026, near Rio Rancho, New Mexico

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N4022X

- History of Flight:
On May 2, 2026, at about 0800 local time, a Cameron C80 balloon, N4022X, was not damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The pilot was not injured, the passenger sustained serious injuries.

The FAA reported that the balloon made a hard landing. The NTSB is investigating.