What happened
On April 26, 2025, a Mooney M20TN, registration N242RE, was involved in an accident near Sparta, Tennessee. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. Earlier that day, the pilot had flown from Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (SRB) to Shelby County Airport (EET) in Alabaster, Alabama. After picking up two passengers and cargo, the pilot departed EET to return to SRB.
According to preliminary ATC audio and ADS-B data, the aircraft departed Alabama at approximately 10:39 and maintained contact with various air traffic control facilities. While approaching SRB from the southwest, the Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center cleared the flight for an RNAV runway 4 approach, instructing the pilot to cross the WENUB fix at or above 4,000 feet. At 11:43:52, approximately 6.2 nautical miles from the approach end of runway 4, the pilot cancelled instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, noting that cloud bases were at 3,000 feet. The pilot also announced positions of 11 miles and 3 miles from the airport on the common traffic advisory frequency. No distress call was reported.
At 11:46:56, the aircraft began a slight deviation to the right. A witness near the accident site reported hearing the engine cutting in and out, suggesting it was out of fuel, and subsequently heard the sound of a crash. The aircraft impacted trees and a creek approximately 1.5 nautical miles southwest of the approach end of runway 4. The accident resulted in 3 fatal injuries.
The investigation
An initial examination of the engine revealed evidence of an internal catastrophic malfunction. Investigators found that the No. 3 cylinder connecting rod was fractured and detached at both ends. The connecting rod journal for the No. 3 cylinder showed no evidence of a lack of lubrication. The engine was retained for further study. Additionally, investigators recovered a Stratus 3 receiver, a shoulder harness airbag electronic module assembly, a portion of the pitch trim system, and an annunciator panel for further examination.