What happened
On November 1, 2012, a Cessna 320E, registration N10PM, crashed into an open field near San Marcos, Texas, shortly after departing San Marcos Municipal Airport (KHYI). The flight was intended to proceed to Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (KDIK) in North Dakota.
At approximately 0605 central daylight time, an employee from the local fixed-base operator observed the pilot performing a preflight inspection. The employee moved the aircraft from its hangar and provided directions to runway 17, but due to heavy fog, the employee could not see the aircraft taxi to the runway. Shortly thereafter, the employee heard the aircraft crash.
At the time of the accident, the weather consisted of night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with an overcast ceiling of 400 feet and visibility of 2.5 miles. No flight plan had been filed for the flight.
The aircraft impacted the ground approximately 45 degrees nose-down, creating a ground scar and scattering debris over a 300-foot path. The main wreckage came to rest inverted. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the aircraft's engines. Both Continental TSIO-520-B engines were found to have been operating normally prior to the impact, with no mechanical anomalies identified that would have prevented the production of rated horsepower. Data from an engine data management unit confirmed that cylinder head temperatures, exhaust gas temperatures, and battery voltage were within normal ranges following engine start.
A review of the pilot's records showed he held a private pilot certificate with a multi-engine rating but was not instrument-rated. His total flight time was estimated at 783 hours, with only 5 hours of actual instrument time.
Train-mounted video footage from a passing westbound train captured the aircraft moving from left to right at a 45-degree nose-down attitude before impacting the ground, followed by an explosion.