What happened
On April 12, 2024, at approximately 1633 EDT, a Piper PA-32R-301, registration N9236J, was involved in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to FAA flight track data, the aircraft departed St. Petersburg, Florida, at approximately 1130 and arrived at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) at approximately 1530. After refueling, the aircraft departed TYS at 1617 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, destined for Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
After departing runway 23L, the pilot was cleared to climb to 10,000 feet. While climbing, the pilot reported that the aircraft was accumulating moisture. Shortly after this report, the pilot declared a “MAYDAY” as the aircraft began descending from 8,500 feet. Flight track data showed an abrupt 90-degree left turn followed by a clockwise spiraling descent. The aircraft's ground speed increased rapidly before track data was lost at 1634, roughly 15 nautical miles from TYS. The weather at the time involved IMC with a 19-knot wind and 9 miles of visibility.
A witness observed an aircraft appearing to fall from the sky in a twirling motion and heard sounds resembling an over-revving engine. The witness later located the aircraft's vertical stabilizer and rudder.
The wreckage was dispersed over a 2-mile area. The main fuselage, including the engine, cockpit, and cabin, came to rest in a heavily wooded area at the base of a tree. The right wing was fragmented along the main spar, though the aileron, flap, and flight control cables remained. The left wing had separated at the wing root and was located approximately 1 mile from the main wreckage; the leading edge was torn, exposing the fuel bladder and part of the inboard fuel tank. Flight control cables showed breaks consistent with overload. The stabilator was broken into two pieces and found 1.5 miles from the fuselage, while the vertical stabilizer and rudder were located 2 miles from the main wreckage.