4 Killed in Plane Crash Near South Carolina Airport

Identities of victims released as investigation into cause continues

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:26pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, with a faint outline of an aircraft barely visible in the distance, conveying a sense of the overwhelming scale and power of the natural world.The tragic plane crash near a small regional airport underscores the fragility of human flight in the face of nature's sublime forces.Union Today

A small plane crashed near Union County Airport in South Carolina on Friday evening, resulting in the deaths of all four people on board. The victims have been identified as members of the same family from Huntsville, Alabama who were traveling from North Carolina to Alabama.

Why it matters

Plane crashes are always tragic events that raise concerns about aviation safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the cause. This incident occurred near a regional airport, underscoring the importance of maintaining safe operations at smaller airfields across the country.

The details

According to the Union County Coroner, the victims were James Moffatt, 60, the pilot, along with his wife Leasa Moffatt, 61, and their two sons Andrew Moffatt, 30, and William Moffatt, 28. The small Mooney M20P aircraft had stopped in Union County to refuel before the crash occurred around 6:30 pm on Friday. Rescue crews had to use a bulldozer to clear a path to the wreckage, which was found in a wooded area. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation to determine the probable cause of the accident.

  • The plane crash occurred around 6:30 pm on Friday, April 19, 2026.
  • The victims were returning from the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area to Huntsville, Alabama.
  • The plane had stopped in Union County, South Carolina to refuel before the incident.

The players

James Moffatt

The 60-year-old pilot of the Mooney M20P aircraft that crashed.

Leasa Moffatt

The 61-year-old wife of James Moffatt, one of the four victims.

Andrew Moffatt

The 30-year-old son of James and Leasa Moffatt, one of the four victims.

William Moffatt

The 28-year-old son of James and Leasa Moffatt, one of the four victims.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation in the United States.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

An independent federal agency responsible for investigating civil transportation accidents in the United States.

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What’s next

The NTSB said the aircraft may be removed from the site sometime next week as part of their ongoing investigation. A probable cause of the crash, along with any contributing factors, is expected to be available in the final report, which is expected in 12 to 24 months.

The takeaway

This tragic plane crash near a regional airport highlights the importance of aviation safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the root causes of such incidents. As the NTSB works to uncover what led to this accident, the local community will mourn the loss of this family from Alabama.