Accident Details
On March 13, 2025, about 0733 central daylight time, a Cessna 525A airplane, registration N525CZ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mesquite, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight.
Flight History
According to the airplane’s owner, the pilot intended to depart Mesquite Metro Airport (KHQZ) and was en route to Addison Airport (KADS) in Dallas, Texas, to pick up passengers before continuing to an undetermined destination. The fixed-based operator manager at KHQZ stated that the pilot requested a fuel top-off before departure, and the airplane was fueled with 224 gallons of Jet-A fuel.
The KHQZ tower controller reported that the airplane was cleared to KADS via a left downwind departure, which would have involved a left climbing turn on departure.
ADS-B Data and Witnesses
ADS-B flight track data showed that after the airplane departed to the south from runway 18, at 0733:21, it entered a right turn and climbed to about 950 ft mean sea level (about 500 ft above ground level). At 0733:45, the airplane began a descent while still in a right turn and impacted terrain. A postimpact fire ensued. The last recorded point was at 0733:52, with an estimated flight time of 31 seconds.
The pilot was in radio communications with the tower controller at KHQZ, and no distress calls were received. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a descending, right bank turn. There were no reports of fire or smoke trailing the airplane.
Wreckage and Investigation
The airplane impacted a heavily wooded area with several winding creeks to the south-southwest of KHQZ. The airplane was fragmented, and the debris path was about 450 ft in length, oriented on a magnetic heading of 270°. A postimpact fire consumed portions of the airplane. All major components were located in the debris path.
The airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which was recovered from the empennage and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for processing. Additionally, the airplane’s engines were equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) modules, which were located and shipped to the manufacturer for data download. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure location for further examination.
Pilot Information
According to FAA records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He had several type ratings, including one for single-pilot operations of a Cessna 525, issued on December 16, 2018. On his most recent application for a medical certificate, dated December 8, 2023, the pilot reported about 6,800 total flight hours and listed his occupation as a self-employed pilot.