Accident Overview
On February 6, 2026, at 0921 eastern standard time, a Cirrus Design Corp SR22, registration N705CD, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Lexington, South Carolina. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
The pilot departed from Pryor Field Regional Airport (DCU) in Decatur, Alabama, on February 3, 2026, with full fuel tanks, making two stops for additional fueling. The flight terminated at Wilmington International Airport (ILM) in North Carolina, where the pilot stopped for the evening. On February 4, 2026, the pilot resumed the flight and landed at Columbia Metro Airport (CAE) in South Carolina, where the airplane was parked for two nights. Witnesses stated that the pilot told the fixed base operator he did not require services and would get fuel upon departure; he did not order fuel.
On February 6, 2026, about 0800, the pilot and passenger arrived at CAE and conducted a preflight inspection. After moving the airplane into sunlight to warm it and melt frost, the pilot taxied to runway 27 and departed for DCU, approximately 295 nautical miles west-northwest.
Engine Failure and Emergency
According to preliminary air traffic control communications and ADS-B data, the flight departed on an instrument flight rules flight plan from runway 29, tracking 282°. The controller cleared the pilot to climb and maintain 8,000 ft msl and to proceed directly to DCU. The climb was unremarkable until the airplane reached about 8,000 ft msl, when the pilot declared a mayday and reported losing the engine. He confirmed an emergency and stated his intention to divert to an airport directly below, identified as White Plains Airport (SC99) in Lexington, South Carolina, about 1.5 miles south of the airplane's position. The pilot also reported about 45 gallons of fuel onboard.
Descent and Impact
SC99 had a 3,000-ft paved runway oriented 9/27 at an elevation of 524 ft. The airplane flew past the airport, then initiated a left turn south while descending through 6,400 ft msl. It turned again with a right teardrop to the northeast and a left teardrop to the south, all about 1.5 miles west of the airport. The pilot then flew toward the airport and joined a right downwind for runway 27 at 1,600 ft msl (1,100 ft agl) and 120 kts groundspeed.
Residential security cameras captured the airplane making a steep right turn from base to final approach, with the propeller windmilling. The last ADS-B data showed the airplane at 790 ft msl (about 300 ft agl) and 70 kts groundspeed, about 2,100 ft east of the runway 27 threshold. Shortly after, the airplane struck 65-ft-tall pine trees about 1,000 ft from the runway threshold. It rolled inverted, impacted a gravel road, and came to rest against trees. The wreckage path was 150 ft long on a magnetic heading of 277°. There was no postimpact fire.
Wreckage Examination
All flight controls remained attached, and control continuity was confirmed. The flaps were set to 50%. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the left wing tank. About 3 total gallons of liquid resembling 100LL aviation fuel were found after the wreckage was uprighted. There was no fuel tank breach. The parachute system was not deployed; the handle was dislodged and the safety pin was missing. The engine inspection revealed valve strikes on five of six pistons, and camshaft gear damage. The propeller showed impact damage consistent with the engine not producing power. The aircraft was retained for further examination.