Mooney M20C accident near Mount Hood, Oregon, August 31, 2026
On August 31, 2026 at about 6:31 pm local time, a 1966 Mooney M20C, registered N2783W, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mount Hood, Oregon. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2026 · about 6:31 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Hood, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20C, built 1966 · all M20Cs on the register
- Registration
- N2783W · registry record · serial 3361
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 31, 2026, about 1131 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2783W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. A witness reported that the airplane was based at Jernstedt Airfield (4S2), Hood River, Oregon, and was conducting a local flight approximately 10 miles southwest of the airport while maneuvering in the Parkdale Valley area. One witness reported observing the airplane perform several maneuvers characterized as “aerobatic-type tricks” before it entered a nose-down attitude and collided with terrain. Additional witnesses stated that the two pilots were conducting stall-practice maneuvers as part of a flight review at the time of the accident. The accident site was located on sloping terrain at an elevation of approximately 1,502 ft mean sea level (msl). The wreckage came to rest atop an agricultural debris pile in an approximate 30° nose-down attitude on a magnetic heading of about 220° and resulted in a crater measuring approximately 5 ft in diameter and 3 ft in depth beneath the wreckage. The aft fuselage and empennage remained largely intact but exhibited downward bending aft of the passenger compartment. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site, and the wreckage debris was confined to an area within approximately 50 ft of the main wreckage. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was the trees directly above the wreckage. A displaced section of fence adjacent to the wreckage had damage consistent with contact from the airplane's right wingtip. The wreckage was subsequently recovered to a secure facility 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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,917.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 16, 2025; 17.1 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: 4S2 Hood River OR at 5:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 am from K4S2, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR K4S2 311815Z AUTO 06003KT 10SM CLR 23/07 A2991 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.