ERA26FA253

On June 29, 2026, at about 1055 central daylight time, a Bellanca 14-19-2, N9846B, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Goldsby, Oklahoma. The two pilots were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was co-owned by the pilots and had undergone maintenance at Paradise Air Haven Airport (39OK), Goldsby, Oklahoma. According to the owner of the maintenance facility, the two pilots arrived about 0900 to take delivery of the airplane from maintenance and relocate it to Wisconsin. During their preflight inspection, all of the fuel tanks were topped-off, which brought the airplane’s total fuel quantity to an estimated 88 gallons. The fuel tanks were sumped and the fuel was free of contaminants. The pilots then loaded luggage, bags containing manuals and maintenance records, and other items into the airplane. At 1040, both pilots entered the airplane; they performed a flight control check, started the engine and then back-taxied to the beginning of runway 17. Recorded videos showed that the airplane began its takeoff roll into a headwind, lifted off after about 1,200 ft and began a slow climb on a heading of about 170°. About 30-40 seconds later, the airplane appeared to level-off and turn left, which was followed immediately by a rapid descent as it disappeared behind the trees. The airplane impacted a grass field on a heading of 056° magnetic, parallel to a tree line with the landing gear retracted. The initial ground scar consisted of a propeller strike, and one propeller blade was separated. The right wing struck the base of a tree and the right auxiliary fuel tank was breached. The engine sustained impact damage from a tree at the No. 2 cylinder, which was separated from its mounts. The airplane’s left horizontal stabilizer also contained damage consistent with a tree strike and it came to rest against a tree at the edge of a dry creek bed. The airplane was destroyed by a postimpact fire. The wreckage was retained for further examination.