What happened
On March 30, 2024, a Daher TBM700 operating as N960LP was involved in a fatal accident near Truckee, California. The aircraft was performing a private flight from Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado, to Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK).
ADS-B data indicates the aircraft departed Denver at approximately 1525, climbing to a cruise altitude of 30,000 feet. While approaching Truckee, the aircraft descended to 15,000 feet over Lake Tahoe and transitioned to an RNAV (GPS) RWY 20 instrument approach. After passing the Final Approach Fix, the pilot engaged approach mode and altitude hold was disengaged. The aircraft passed the Visual Descent Point at approximately 6,475 feet and continued toward the Missed Approach Point.
During the approach, the autopilot was disengaged, and the aircraft began a 180-degree right turn. During this maneuver, the pilot made several altitude and lateral navigation selections. The aircraft then entered a left turn, climbing briefly to 6,850 feet before experiencing a rapid decrease in altitude and an increase in speed. The final ADS-B return showed the aircraft at 280 feet above the ground traveling at 170 knots.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were IMC with visibility reported at less than 0.34 statute miles due to light snow. The airport's VASI lights were reported inoperative.
The investigation
The wreckage was located in snow-covered terrain consisting of dense brush and mature trees, approximately 3,200 feet north of the approach end of runway 11. The initial impact area contained left-wing tip fragments and a severed tree with right-wing pieces. The main wreckage, which included the fuselage, engine, and empennage, was found 100 feet from the initial impact site. The wreckage was distributed over a 300-foot area, and the nose wheel tire was found among the farthest pieces of debris, suggesting the aircraft impacted with the landing gear extended. The cockpit area was severely fragmented and partially destroyed by fire. The Light Data Recorder (LDR) was not recovered from the wreckage but is presumed to be in the vicinity.