Cessna 310R Accident Near Poolville, Texas (N252DL)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On January 14, 2024, at approximately 1215 central standard time, a Cessna 310R airplane, registration N252DL, was destroyed in an accident near Poolville, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight was a personal operation conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot filed an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan for a cross-country journey from Carrizo Springs Airport (CZT) to Bridgeport Municipal Airport (XBP). ADS-B data indicated the aircraft departed CZT around 1100. The pilot checked in with air traffic control at 1149 while cruising at 7,000 feet mean sea level (msl). During the flight, the pilot inquired about icing reports, and the controller provided information regarding trace rime icing at higher altitudes. At 1204, the controller cleared the flight to descend to 3,000 feet msl. The pilot ceased responding to the controller at 1208, despite repeated attempts and low altitude alerts from the controller. Flight track data showed the aircraft began a steady descent of 600 to 750 feet per minute from 7,000 feet msl on a heading of 016°, continuing until impact. A witness reported seeing the aircraft flying level at a low altitude with retracted landing gear and rotating propellers.