What happened
On June 30, 2024, at approximately 13:55 EDT, a Piper PA-46-310P, registration N85PG, was involved in an accident near Trout Creek, New York. The flight, operated under Part 91 as a personal flight, resulted in 5 fatal injuries for the pilot and four passengers.
The aircraft departed runway 24 at Albert S. Nader Regional Airport (N66) in Oneonta, New York, at approximately 13:42, with an intended destination of West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW). After takeoff, the pilot requested instrument flight rules clearance from the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center. The controller issued a climb clearance to 10,000 feet MSL and provided a weather advisory regarding moderate and heavy precipitation to the right of the flight path.
As the aircraft climbed through 6,100 feet MSL, it was cleared to 12,000 feet MSL. At 13:52, the aircraft began deviating left of course. Shortly after, at 13:53:2 and 28 seconds, the aircraft initiated a right turn from a heading of 180° to 128°. During this turn, the aircraft's altitude decreased from 9,900 feet MSL to 9,100 feet MSL, while ground speed increased from 120 knots to a maximum of 213 knots. At 13:54:43, the aircraft entered a right descending spiral from 9,025 feet MSL. The final recorded track data point occurred at 13:54:59, showing the aircraft at 6,500 feet MSL with a ground speed of 242 knots.
The investigation
The wreckage was located approximately 0.5 miles northwest of the final track data point, with a debris path extending 1.1 miles on a northwest heading. The main wreckage included the engine, fuselage, and portions of both wings. The horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and trim tab were recovered 0.85 miles southeast of the main site, while the vertical stabilizer was found 1.09 miles southeast.
Investigators found that all fracture surfaces were consistent with overload failure. While the left wing's fuel tanks were breached, the fuel caps on the right wing were secure, and the right wing contained 100-LL aviation gasoline. Examination of the flight control cables showed that the elevator and rudder control cables remained continuous from the tailcone to just aft of the wing spar, but the aileron cables exhibited separation consistent with overload.
The engine remained attached to the airframe and was buried 3 feet into the ground. Both magnetos functioned correctly when rotated, and the spark plugs appeared normal. The two engine-driven vacuum pumps were found to have intact rotors and vanes. Additionally, an inspection of the self-service fuel station used by the pilot the previous day revealed no contaminants in the fuel.