Mooney down

[MountainDude]

N7026V Mooney M20 - Cherokee National Forest Near Reliance Tennessee 11 APR 2025
(Crashed) 3 POB - No Survivors
Enroute From Chattanooga To Burlington North Carolina

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[Velocity173]

We were listening to that one at work on the scanner since it’s the next county up and we might get launched. Amazing how poorly information gets passed. My paramedic was like “they’re saying it’s an M22.” I was like, I seriously doubt that. Then he hears “FAA told them to be careful approaching the aircraft because it’s equipped with a parachute.” So then I’m thinking they must have meant SR22. Nope, ends up being an M20. Weather wasn’t all that good at the time. Scattered area storms.

 

[FORANE]

Ice was reported in that area lower than the elevation they were flying. No idea if that was a factor. Terrain in that area would limit options for lower. Wasn't a good day to be trying to cross the hill in a light aircraft though.

 

[Velocity173]

It was a strange day for weather. We had a shower come through with no convective activity but yet had BB sized hail in it. Had 4 flight requests and came close to mixing it up but elected to sit it out at base. Too unpredictable.

 

[Flying Keys]

It was a strange day for weather. We had a shower come through with no convective activity but yet had BB sized hail in it. Had 4 flight requests and came close to mixing it up but elected to sit it out at base. Too unpredictable.

Depending on the temperature profile, enough of an inversion aloft can cause snow pellets or sleet. I’ve seen that mistaken for hail many times.

 

[Llewtrah381]

Depending on the temperature profile, enough of an inversion aloft can cause snow pellets or sleet. I’ve seen that mistaken for hail many times.

Sounds like graupel, which I understand is a big part of forming lightning but usually melts into rain before hitting the ground.

 

[Skymac]

It was a strange day for weather. We had a shower come through with no convective activity but yet had BB sized hail in it. Had 4 flight requests and came close to mixing it up but elected to sit it out at base. Too unpredictable.

Where are you based out of? Just curious, I fly the area often and had actually talked someone out of a flight running south that day just west of Chattanooga.

 

[Velocity173]

Where are you based out of? Just curious, I fly the area often and had actually talked someone out of a flight running south that day just west of Chattanooga.

Blue Ridge, GA.

 

[Rick A]

Heard from a former pipeline patrol pilot friend that his former boss and son were the victims of this crash. The company was named Texas something and he (my friend) flew mostly Cessnas (205/206/207?) for many years before retirement.