Accident Overview
On November 24, 2024, at approximately 1809 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20J, registration N58156, sustained substantial damage after impacting wooded, mountainous terrain near Windham, New York. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Information
The flight originated from Harford County Airport (0W3) in Churchville, Maryland, around 1640, with a planned destination of Albany International Airport (ALB) in Albany, New York. Sunset at ALB occurred at 1625, and civil twilight ended at 1656. Preliminary ADS-B data indicated that after departure, the airplane flew northeast toward ALB. At about 1802, the airplane was at an altitude of roughly 5,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and began a shallow descent. By 1805, it had descended below 4,000 ft, and by 1807, it was below 3,500 ft. The last ADS-B position, recorded around 1808, placed the airplane approximately 720 ft laterally from the initial impact point, with an altitude of 3,025 ft—within 100 ft of the accident site elevation.
Pilot Communications
The pilot had been in contact with air traffic control (ATC) and was receiving visual flight rules (VFR) flight following services. During communications, the pilot reported moderate to heavy turbulence at 5,000 ft. The pilot subsequently descended to about 4,300 ft and reported that the turbulence had subsided to light to moderate. This was the pilot's last transmission to ATC. No distress calls were made.
Impact and Wreckage
The airplane impacted terrain at an elevation of 3,090 ft, below the mountain peak at 3,524 ft. Initial impact points were two trees approximately 80 ft from the main wreckage, each with one of the airplane's flaps wrapped around the trunk at about 30 ft above ground. A nearby tree contained remnants of the left aileron and wing, also at approximately 30 ft. The primary wreckage—including the fuselage, empennage, engine, and propeller—came to rest on a heading of 82° true. The wreckage path was roughly 80 ft long along a heading of 38° true.
Both wings had separated from the fuselage, with portions located along the wreckage path. The empennage remained attached but sustained impact damage, primarily to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the site. The wreckage was retained for further examination.