Wreckage Covered Area Approximately 1/2 Mile Long By 200 Feet Wide

Another tragedy... and another case in which Mother Nature appears to have played a part. We can't emphasize enough that the power of weather to overpower the capabilities of ANY aircraft in the wrong place and the wrong time is without question... and if you, as Pilot-In-Command, have questions about your aircraft or your ability to execute a flight, then stay on the ground so that you family and friends can celebrate the holidays... instead of a funeral.

NTSB Identification: CEN12FA108
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, December 19, 2011 in Bryan, TX
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32-260, registration: N3590T
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors.

On December 19, 2011, about 2150 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3590T, collided with terrain following an in-flight breakup near Bryan, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight had originated from the Clayton County Airport (4A7), Hampton, Georgia, approximately 1345. After a planed fuel stop at the Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN), Jackson, Mississippi, the flight departed about 1750 for the TSTC Waco Airport (CNW), Waco, Texas.

An initial review of air traffic control (ATC) recordings revealed that the pilot was diverting around an area of thunderstorms at the time of the accident. The pilot last reported that he was in “bad” weather and was going to try to get out of it. Following that transmission, radio and radar contact was lost.

About 2150 an ear witness, located in her house, heard a sound resembling an explosion. The witness reported that at the time she heard the noise, the rain was falling as a light drizzle. However, by the time she and her husband got outside to see what the explosion was, the rain started pouring down. The witness’s husband located the main airplane wreckage approximately 450 feet southwest of their house. While searching for survivors they called 9-1-1.

The airplane came to rest in a pasture field, covering an area approximately 1/2 mile long by 200 feet wide. There was no postcrash fire. Following the on-site examination, the wreckage was recovered to a secure facility.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov