2009 Beech A36 Accident Near Spring Branch, Texas (N91TD)

Flight Details and Loss of Contact On November 8, 2009, a Beech A36, registration N91TD, was lost from radar contact and impacted the ground approximately one mile northwest of Kestrel Airpark (1T7) in Spring Branch, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Kerrville Municipal Airport (ERV) at approximately 1110 CST and was en route to Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ) under an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed during the flight. The aircraft was registered to Gold Cup Pawn Shop Inc. and operated by a private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Radar data indicated the aircraft was level at 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) at 1127 CST. At 1129:32, the aircraft was in a right turn at 8,900 feet msl. The final radar contact at 1129:46 showed the aircraft in a descending right turn at 6,400 feet msl. No distress call was received. Witnesses reported hearing high engine revolutions per minute (rpm) and a loud impact, with some observing debris falling from the clouds.