Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

WhatsApp Channel

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Subscribe Now

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

News

Civil Aviation

Pilot Training

Flight School Analysis

Aviation Jobs

Training

Services

About Us

Subscribe Now

Family Tragedy

South Carolina, United States: Four people were killed after a single-engine aircraft crashed shortly after departure near Union County Airport on April 17, with federal investigators now examining the cause of the fatal accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft involved was a Mooney M20P, which went down at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time near the airport shortly after takeoff. All four occupants on board were killed in the crash. Authorities said the aircraft had departed from Union County Airport and was en route to Ellijay, Georgia, a route often used for short private flights across the region. Local officials later confirmed the identity of all four victims: James Moffatt (60), identified as the pilot Leasa Moffatt (61) Andrew Moffatt (30) William Moffatt (28) The identities were released by the Union County Coroner’s Office after next of kin had been notified. According to the coroner, the four people were members of the same family and were flying from the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area to the Huntsville, Alabama area. Emergency crews responded following reports of smoke near the airport area. Due to difficult terrain, the South Carolina Forestry Commission had to deploy heavy equipment, including a bulldozer, to clear access to the wreckage site. Authorities confirmed the aircraft was a single-propeller plane that had crashed in a wooded area near the airport. No survivors were found at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in the investigation, working alongside the FAA, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the coroner. Investigators will focus on three primary areas: The pilot The aircraft The operating environment, including weather and flight conditions Officials indicated that the wreckage may be removed from the site in the coming days as part of the investigative process. The NTSB noted that determining a probable cause could take 12 to 24 months, which is standard for general aviation accident investigations.

Aircraft Crashes

4 Family Members Killed In Small Plane Crash Shortly After Takeoff In South Carolina

Aviation Today News Desk / April 20, 2026

South Carolina, United States: Four people were killed after a single-engine aircraft crashed shortly after departure near Union County Airport […]

Helicopter Crash

Oregon Pilot And Three Nieces Killed In Arizona Helicopter Crash Hours Before Wedding

Aviation Today News Desk / January 5, 2026

Arizona, United States: A helicopter crash in remote terrain east of Phoenix claimed the lives of a seasoned Oregon pilot

North Carolina, United States: A private business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning, killing all seven people on board, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, and prompting a federal investigation by aviation authorities. The aircraft, identified as a Cessna C550 Citation II, went down near the runway shortly after 10 a.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The jet burst into flames on impact, leaving no survivors, officials confirmed. According to preliminary information released by authorities, the jet had departed from Statesville Regional Airport and was en route to Florida, with plans to continue onward to the Bahamas. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft turned back toward the airport for reasons that have not yet been disclosed publicly. Witnesses near the airport reported seeing the plane flying unusually low before it crashed near the runway area. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but the intensity of the post-impact fire prevented rescue efforts. Airport officials temporarily closed Statesville Regional Airport following the crash to allow emergency crews to secure the site and investigators to begin their work. Authorities and family representatives confirmed that retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55, was among those killed in the crash. He was traveling with his wife, Cristina, and their two children. Three family friends were also on board the aircraft. The jet was registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company connected to Biffle through public FAA registration records. Biffle was a prominent figure in American motorsports, with championships and race victories across NASCAR’s national series. News of his death triggered an outpouring of tributes from the racing community and beyond. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, pilot qualifications, weather conditions, and flight data to determine the cause of the crash. Officials emphasized that it is too early to speculate on contributing factors. Weather conditions at the time included overcast skies and gusty winds, though investigators have not confirmed whether weather played a role. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks, with a final report likely to take several months. The crash has deeply affected the local Statesville community, where the airport serves both private and business aviation traffic. Airport officials said operations will resume only after investigators clear the runway and surrounding areas. Local officials described the incident as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the region in recent years.

Aircraft Crashes

NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Among Seven Killed In Statesville Private Jet Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / December 19, 2025

North Carolina, United States: A private business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning,

Idaho, United States: A tragic plane crash in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest on Labor Day left one child dead and three members of the Palmer family hospitalized. Authorities said the family had just taken off in a four-seat Piper PA-28 on Monday afternoon when the plane went down in the mountains shortly before 5 p.m. Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 13-year-old Amelia Palmer died at the scene. Her parents, Earl Palmer, 54, and Cindy Palmer, 53, were airlifted in critical condition to a trauma center in Billings, Montana. Their 11-year-old son, Aeron Palmer, suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Sheridan Memorial Hospital. The Sheriff’s Office initially received reports of a missing or injured person in the Bighorn Mountains before learning of the plane crash. Emergency responders quickly located the wreckage and worked to stabilize the three survivors. Amelia’s body was later airlifted to the Incident Command Post and transported to Sheridan Memorial Hospital. “This was, and still is, a very fluid scene,” Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez said, praising the “exceptional” coordination of rescuers, EMS, and medical teams. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their family.” The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. The FAA’s preliminary report confirmed the crash occurred during the plane’s initial climb but listed the cause as unknown circumstances. Amelia was well known in the rodeo community as the 2024/2025 Treasure Valley Rodeo Mini Queen and second runner-up for the 2026 Miss Junior Rodeo Idaho title. “Amelia, you were pure sunshine and brought joy to everyone you met. Our rodeo family won’t be the same without you,” Miss Rodeo Idaho Inc. wrote in a Facebook tribute. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the Palmers with medical bills, travel expenses, and funeral costs. Family friends have stepped in to care for the family’s farm animals, and community members are encouraged to donate feed or contribute to the fundraiser. FAA records list the plane’s registered owner as Austin Travis Peden of Sheridan, Wyoming. According to The Billings Gazette, Peden previously worked for Bighorn Airways, a local provider of private and contract flights.

Aircraft Crashes

Piper PA-28 Crash in Wyoming Claims 13-Year-Old’s Life, Leaves Three Hospitalized

Aviation Today News Desk / September 3, 2025

Idaho, United States: A tragic plane crash in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest on Labor Day left one child dead and

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

AVIATION TODAY brings the latest in aviation and aims to cater information to professionals and Aviation Enthusiasts about the Industry.

Quick Links

About Us
Contact Us
Services
Advertise
FAQ

Navigate

Latest News
Civil Aviation
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Aviation Jobs
Training

General Support

info@aviationtoday.in

News Desk Support

news@aviationtoday.in

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

About Us
Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube