Mooney M20E accident near Conway, South Carolina, August 9, 2026
On August 9, 2026 at about 12:02 pm local time, a 1969 Mooney M20E, registered N9257V, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Conway, South Carolina (Conway-Horry County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2026 · about 12:02 pm local time
- Place
- Conway, South Carolina · Conway-Horry County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20E, built 1969 · all M20Es on the register
- Registration
- N9257V · registry record · serial 690057
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 9, 2026 at 802 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20E, N9257V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Conway, South Carolina. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported he planned to conduct an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country flight from Conway-Horry County Airport (HYW), Conway, South Carolina, to Berkeley County Airport (MKS), Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The pilot stated that he performed an engine run-up, which included a check of the magnetos, propeller governor and auxiliary fuel pump. He then departed runway 22, announced his intention to depart the area on the common traffic advisory frequency and switched to the terminal radar approach control frequency to activate his IFR clearance. Shortly thereafter, he noticed “sluggish” performance and decided to switch fuel tanks, which did not resolve the condition. He soon felt a vibration and noticed the engine running rough, which he described as continuing to “pick up and then back off.” About 1,000 ft mean sea level, he turned back to HYW before the engine lost power completely. The pilot stated that he could not reach the airport and soon began striking trees. The airplane came to rest upright, in dense woods. Post accident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. The fuselage was crumpled and torn in multiple locations, and both the wings and tail sustained significant leading-edge damage. The engine case was not breached, and the engine oil dipstick was removed and showed about 8 quarts of oil. The pilot stated that he refueled the airplane after his last flight in June 2026 to a total of 52 gallons. The most recent maintenance logbook entry noted the replacement of the engine starter in July 2026. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,412 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 6, 2026; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: HYW Conway SC at 11:35 am
- Destination: MKS Moncks Corner SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 4,401 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 10:00 am from HYW, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHYW 091355Z AUTO 26006KT 10SM CLR 27/24 A3015 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA26LA295.