What happened
On December 4, 2022, a Cessna 210-5 airplane, N8149Z, crashed near Cleburne, Texas, resulting in 2 fatal injuries. The flight was a personal trip that had begun earlier that morning in West Virginia, with several stops for fuel along the route.
After arriving at Cleburne Regional Airport (CPT), the crew received an IFR clearance for a flight to Granbury Regional Airport (GDJ), which included an assigned heading of 090 and a climb to 3,000 feet MSL. The aircraft departed runway 15 at approximately 20:55 CST.
Following takeoff, the aircraft climbed to 1,775 feet MSL and began a right turn. ADS-B data and a performance study indicated that after the aircraft turned approximately 90 degrees, it entered a rapid descent. During this phase, the airspeed increased through 140 knots, the pitch angle decreased past -10 degrees, and the roll angle increased past 60 degrees. The descent rate was calculated to exceed 11,000 feet per minute. The aircraft impacted a vacant construction site in a right-wing-low orientation, and a post-impact fire consumed much of the wreckage.
At the time of the accident, the weather was in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with an overcast ceiling of 300 feet AGL and visibility of 2.5 statute miles. Night conditions were also prevailing.
The investigation
Engine and airframe examinations were limited due to the extent of the impact and fire damage. However, a borescope examination of the engine showed no pre-impact anomalies, and the wing spar attach points showed no evidence of fatigue or corrosion. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the rudder, elevator, and left aileron, though the right aileron cables were only partially examined due to tension overload separations.
An aircraft performance study showed the engine was operating at a high power setting during the flight. Surveillance video from a nearby location captured the departure and the impact, with no abnormal engine sounds noted during the sequence.