What happened
On June 3, 2025, at approximately 11:45 EDT, a Universal Stinson 108, registration N40158, was involved in an accident near Farmington, North Carolina. The aircraft had departed from runway 2 at Sugar Valley Airport (5NC2) in Mocksville, North Carolina, operating under Part 91 regulations for personal use.
While flying the traffic pattern, the pilot was notified by a UNICOM operator that a turtle was on the runway. The operator observed the pilot land approximately 1,400 feet down the 2,424-foot runway and subsequently lift the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator reported hearing the pilot advance the throttle after the right wheel was raised.
A ground worker performing maintenance near the end of runway 2 also observed the pilot lift the right wheel to avoid the turtle, noting that the wings began to rock back and forth. The aircraft then took off again, passing behind a hangar and disappearing over trees on the northeast side of the runway. Shortly after, a loud crash and smoke were observed.
The aircraft impacted a heavily forested area approximately 255 feet northeast of the departure end of runway 2, resulting in a post-impact fire. The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries and 1 serious injury.
The investigation
The aircraft came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded under the fuselage and the right wing bent aft. The wreckage was wedged between several trees. While the metal rudder and elevator showed no fire damage, the fabric on the fuselage, cowling, and wings was burned off, leaving the airframe visible. Some fabric from the vertical stabilizer had melted, though parts remained intact. Pieces of fabric were also recovered from an adjacent stream.
Investigators confirmed control cable continuity to the rudder, elevator, and right aileron. However, due to the extent of the impact damage, continuity could not be confirmed for the flaps or the left aileron. The engine and wreckage were retained for examination.