CEN26FA310

On September 7, 2026, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20F airplane, N9546M, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Titusville, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Airplane position data revealed that the flight departed from runway 36 (taxiway Charlie intersection) at the Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida. About 1015:07, the airplane overflew the departure end of the runway. About that time, it entered a left turn and climbed to a maximum altitude of about 220 ft mean sea level (msl). The left turn continued until the final data point was recorded at 1015:27. The altitude associated with the final data point was 220 ft msl, and the airplane was oriented on a southwest heading at that time. Surveillance video footage from a camera located at the Executive Jet Center fixed base operator depicted the airplane as it departed. Initially, the airplane became airborne and began to climb. However, soon afterward, it entered a descent. As it neared the end of the runway, the airplane began to climb again and subsequently entered a left turn. The turn continued until the airplane ultimately descended behind an intervening tree line. Shortly afterward, a plume of smoke was visible rising above the trees. A witness positioned outside the museum on the east side of the airport reported observing the airplane. Initially, she thought that the pilot was descending to execute a touch-and-go but then the airplane started to climb. She noted “a lot of noise” from the airplane as it climbed; however, that noise stopped shortly afterward as it neared the end of the runway. The airplane then entered a left turn and, ultimately, impacted power lines. The airplane struck a set of powerlines before coming to rest inverted on the westbound traffic lanes of Route 405/Columbia Blvd immediately north of the airport property. A post-impact fire ensued. The accident site was about 0.29 miles northwest from the departure end of runway 36. Figure 1 – Aerial view of accident site The cockpit area, including the instrumentation and avionics, was consumed. The outboard section to the left wing was separated and located near the main wreckage consistent with the powerline impact. The aft fuselage was deformed and buckled that was consistent with impact forces. The empennage remained attached with exception of the upper 2-ft section of the rudder which was separated and located in the debris path. The nose landing gear and left main landing gear were in the extended position. The right main landing gear was separated and located in the debris path. Figure 2 – Airplane at accident site