What happened
On December 14, 2023, a Pilatus PC-12/45, registration N188PC, crashed near Christoval, Texas, while performing a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The aircraft departed Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (CRG) in Florida and was en route to San Angelo Regional Airport (SJT).
During the RNAV (GPS) runway 36 approach to SJT, the pilot was operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). At approximately 12:11 CST, the pilot reported cloud tops between 4,100 ft and 4,400 ft MSL. Following ATC instructions to turn right to heading 030 to establish on the final approach course, the aircraft's flight track indicated it overshot the course and continued a shallow right turn. The pilot radioed, "we overshot it," and shortly after, stated, "we got a single problem."
Following this transmission, the aircraft entered a steep right descending turn. The descent rate increased from approximately 1,000 fpm to 5,000 fpm, and eventually reached approximately 15,000 fpm as the turn steepened. The aircraft impacted trees and terrain about 15 miles south of SJT. The accident resulted in 2 fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the initial impact point included a small tree and a ground crater containing a propeller blade and small debris. The main wreckage was located approximately 500 feet east of the initial impact area. The engine components showed signs of torsional deformation and rotational signatures. The propeller assembly and two blades remained attached, while two of the four blades impact-separated. All four blades exhibited chordwise rotational scoring, leading edge gouges, and compound bend and twist signatures.
Maintenance records indicated the aircraft had received an annual inspection on November 22, 2023. The aircraft's avionics suite, which included Garmin G600TXi displays, GTN750Xi navigators, a GI275 electronic attitude indicator, and a GMC 605 autopilot controller, was recovered and sent for data extraction.