After Takeoff The Airplane Descended And Impacted Terrain

Location: Bryan, TX Accident Number: CEN20LA370
Date & Time: August 30, 2020, 14:30 Local Registration: N7469P
Aircraft: Piper PA24 Injuries: 3 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 30, 2020, about 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N7469P, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Bryan, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a family member, the purpose of the flight was for the pilot to take his family members for a sightseeing flight in the local area. The pilot had recently purchased the airplane about a week before the accident.

According to security video footage at the Coulter Field Airport (CFD), Bryan, Texas, the airplane utilized runway 15 for the takeoff. After takeoff the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest on a flat grass field on the departure end of runway 15 on airport property.

The airplane sustained substantial damage during the impact. A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector and an air safety investigator from Piper Aircraft documented the accident site and the wreckage was recovered to a secure location for a future examination of the airframe and the Lycoming O-540 engine.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov