N7026V

On April 11, 2025, about 1402 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N7026V, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Reliance, Tennessee. The pilot, pilot-rated passenger and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Preliminary ADS-B data showed that the airplane departed Lovell Field Airport (CHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 1345, with an intended destination of Burlington/ Alamance Regional Airport (BUY), Burlington, North Carolina. Shortly after departure, the airplane turned to the northeast towards Ocoee-Cherokee National Forest. About 13 minutes after departure, radar contact was lost, and an alert notice (ALNOT) was issued about 3 minutes later (see figure 1). The wreckage was located by local fire and rescue about 2 hours the ALNOT was issued.

Figure 1: Preliminary ADS-B data plotted on Google Earth overlay

Witnesses at Chilhowee Glider Port (9A2), Benton, Tennessee, which is located about five nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported that they encountered strong, gusting winds about one hour prior to the accident. They stated that they were compelled to park multiple aircraft and observed debris and garbage blowing across their runway. Additionally, they stated that a “weather cell” with precipitation was observed in the general vicinity of the accident site about the time of the accident.

The airplane impacted heavily wooded terrain about 38 nautical miles northeast of CHA, at an elevation of about 1,760 ft msl. The first point of contact was identified by broken pine limbs and tree strikes. The wreckage came to rest on sloped terrain, in between white pine trees. The engine, propeller, both wings, fuselage, and empennage were found within the main wreckage which spanned about 60 ft by 30 ft.

The fuselage and cockpit area were fragmented. The left wing was separated at the wing root and came to rest about five ft from the fuselage. The right wing came to rest against a tree above the engine and propeller, which were embedded within terrain. Both elevators were separated from the horizontal stabilizers and located within about 400 ft of the main wreckage. The left elevator was torn into 2 pieces, and the right was torn into 3 pieces.

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