21) THE IMPOSSIBLE TURN, U-FIT

Mooney M20-J | N1151H

April 17th, 2026 | Union, South Carolina

Accident Location

  • City: Union
  • State: South Carolina
  • Latitude: 34.676356
  • Longitude: -81.655183
  • Airport ID: 35A

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N1151H
  • Make: Mooney
  • Model: M20-J
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Moffatt, James Anthony
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age:
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: April 17th, 2026
  • Time: 6:15 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
  • Total People Onboard: 4
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 3
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 4
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 21) THE IMPOSSIBLE TURN, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot encountered an engine problem of some kind immediately after takeoff from runway 23 at 35A, and did attempt an aggressive low altitude right hand turn back to the airport, whereupon the aircraft stalled and descended vertically into terrain. The aircraft caught fire upon impact, and none of the four occupants were able to extricate themselves from the burning wreckage in time.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves in this scenario to not attempt a return to the departure airport, and to select any open field, and to land off airport with landing gear retracted. The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft prioritize the selection of the best landing site, and recognize that it is most likely “not” a paved runway or a road.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.