Accident Overview
On October 29, 2024, at approximately 1645 Mountain daylight time, a Daher TBM 700, registration N885CA, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Pinedale, Wyoming. The aircraft was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and five passengers received minor injuries, while one passenger was seriously injured. The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence.
Sequence of Events
According to a witness at Ralph Wenz Field Airport (PNA) in Pinedale, the airplane landed and refueled. Approximately 40 gallons of fuel was added to each fuel tank, and six passengers boarded during the stop. Heavy snow was falling while the airplane was on the ground. Before taxi, the pilot cleared snow off the airplane with a brush.
The witness reported that the snowfall was light when the airplane taxied and took off on runway 29. Shortly after becoming airborne, the left wing dropped and struck terrain. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on a snow drift adjacent to the runway.
Recovery
The airplane was recovered and secured for further examination.