History of Flight
On November 26, 2023, at 1000 eastern standard time, a Socata TBM 700, registration N850JH, was destroyed in an accident near Ludington, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed from Mason County Airport (LDM) in Ludington, Michigan, to Tri-State Steuben County Airport (ANQ) in Angola, Indiana. The pilot obtained an electronic weather briefing on the morning of the accident.
The airport manager assisted in removing the airplane from an unheated hangar at about 945. Approximately 15 minutes later, the pilot taxied onto runway 8 and began the takeoff roll. The manager noted that the takeoff appeared unremarkable except that the left wing dipped after rotation, and the airplane climbed in a left bank. It disappeared into clouds. The manager reported snow before and after departure and took a photograph showing snow accumulation on the ground, wings, and horizontal stabilizer.
A witness walking her dog about half a mile north of the departure end of runway 8 reported the airplane sounded loud and low. She observed it come over the tree line in a left-wing-low attitude, then disappear before she heard a loud bang.
The airplane impacted a snow-covered field about a quarter mile north of the airport, followed by a post-impact fire.
Personnel Information
Flight training records indicated the pilot had a flight review and instrument proficiency check about 7 months before the accident, conducted in the accident airplane and including training in winter weather conditions like snow and ice. Insurance paperwork from March 2023 stated the pilot had about 4,700 hours total time and 320 hours in the accident make and model.
Aircraft Information
According to the airplane manufacturer's pilot operating handbook (POH), all snow, frost, and ice must be removed from wing and control surfaces during preflight inspection. The POH also states that on snow-covered or icy runways, the airplane must be sprayed with anti-icing fluid. In March 2018, the manufacturer published SL-70-053, Deicing and Anti-icing Procedures on the Ground for TBM 700 aircraft, stating that takeoffs with snow or ice adhering to the wings should not be attempted due to potential performance degradation from reduced lift and increased drag. The service letter recommends de-icing with fluids before departure. The airplane was equipped with wing surface deice boots.
Meteorological Information
WSR-88D Level-II base reflectivity weather radar imagery from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, site (KGRR) showed light reflectivity across the accident region. The pilot's weather briefing included current and forecasted conditions for snow and ice along the route, including at the departure airport.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The debris field was about 75 ft long and 40 ft wide, oriented east to west, containing pieces of the left fuel tank, left flap, left fuel tank sensing unit, left wing root, one propeller blade, and left wing tip. Much of the left wing was at the end of the debris field before the main wreckage, which came to rest on its side on a heading of about 120°.
The fuselage separated into two pieces aft of the firewall. The instrument panel and yokes were burned and melted; reliable readings could not be obtained. The elevator trim was 1 cm down from the trailing edge; rudder trim was near-neutral with a 0.2 cm right deflection. Rudder and elevator control continuity was confirmed. The rudder pivoted freely; aileron trim was neutral. Flap tracks indicated flaps were up. Aileron controls could not be tested due to fire damage.
The G1000 flight deck and other avionics were consumed by fire; SD cards were not found. Mixture, throttle, and propeller controls were missing. Fuel tanks were compromised; the fuel selector valve was not located.
The engine remained attached to the mount, exhibiting heavy thermal damage with an intact case and no holes. No fan liberation was noted. Two witnesses reported the engine was loud and making power just before impact.
All five composite propeller blades were impact-separated at the hub; only one blade was found. The hub remained attached to the gearbox. Pieces still attached had a broom straw appearance cut at a 45° angle and packed with mud.
The nose and right main landing gear separated; the left main gear remained in the wheel well.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on November 27, 2023, by the Western Michigan University School of Medicine listed the cause of death as multiple injuries. The FAA Forensic Science Laboratory detected ibuprofen in toxicological testing.