WPR26FA320

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.