Accident Overview
On October 13, 2025, at approximately 0815 eastern daylight time, a Socata TBM 700C2, registration N111RF, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. An automobile driver on Interstate 195 West received minor injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
According to preliminary air traffic control ADS-B and voice communication data from the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot had filed an instrument flight rules flight plan from New Bedford Regional Airport (EWB), New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW), Kenosha, Wisconsin. The airplane departed EWB at 0805. Shortly after departure, the pilot stated that he would be returning to the airport. The air traffic controller instructed the pilot to enter a left downwind for runway 05, which the pilot confirmed. The controller asked if the pilot needed assistance upon landing; the pilot reported he did not. The controller cleared the pilot to land on runway 05.
The controller then asked the pilot if he could perform an approach to the airport (reporting ceilings around 1,000 ft) or if he needed radar vectors. The pilot responded that he would descend and that he “should be OK.” The controller acknowledged and cleared the pilot again to land on runway 05. About one minute later, the controller provided a low altitude alert and the current altimeter setting. The pilot confirmed the setting. Shortly after, the pilot made an unintelligible exclamation. No further communications were received from the pilot.
Accident Site and Wreckage
The accident site was about 3.6 nautical miles southwest of EWB. Several impact-damaged trees were identified as the initial impact points, with tops cut off approximately 50 feet above ground. The wreckage path continued through a wooded area, across a highway off ramp, across a portion of Interstate 195 West, and the fuselage came to rest in the median between Interstate 195 West and Interstate 195 East. During the impact sequence, the airplane struck an automobile on Interstate 195 West, injuring the driver. The distance from initial impact to fuselage rest was about 280 ft. The debris path was oriented along a heading of 223° true; the fuselage rested on a heading of 289° true. A post-impact fire consumed portions of both wings and the empennage. All major components were located at the site.
Aircraft Condition
Both wings were impact damaged and partially consumed by post-impact fire. The left aileron was along the wreckage path; the aileron trim tab remained attached. The rudder sustained significant impact damage to the leading edge, and a portion had broken free. The rudder trim tab remained attached via its hinge, but the rudder trim actuator had separated from the tab; damage consistent with impact. The elevator trim tab remained partially attached through the actuator; both elevators were impact and thermally damaged.
Fuel system examination revealed the wing fuel tanks were breached; no fuel was recovered from remaining tank remnants, though a strong odor of Jet A fuel was present. The fuel strainer bowl and screen were secured with no leaks; the screen was clear, and the fuel contamination indicator was normal. The fuel line from firewall to fuel pump inlet was secure with no leaks.
The fuselage—the farthest piece of wreckage—was mostly intact but buckled in multiple locations, with minor thermal damage to the forward left side. A portion of the left wing root remained attached; the right wing had completely impact-separated. The main cabin door was found open upon investigator arrival, but a witness video taken shortly after the accident showed it closed. Both forward seats had impact-separated from their installation points and remained in the cabin.
The airplane was equipped with a digital avionics suite. Both pilot and copilot primary flight displays remained installed with secured electrical connectors; both were recovered for data download. The engine remained partially attached via mounts, cables, wires, and hoses, displaying impact damage but no signs of fire. The five-blade constant-speed composite propeller sustained impact damage to all blades. The hub remained attached to the flange; all five blades had separated near their roots and were located along the wreckage path, with varying leading-edge damage.
The wreckage was retained for further examination.