What happened
On November 24, 2025, a Socata TBL 700, registration N700PT, was involved in an accident near Monroe, Wisconsin, resulting in 2 fatal injuries to the pilot and a pilot-rated passenger. The aircraft was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
The flight departed Oshkosh Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) at approximately 1641 CST. At 1704, the pilot was cleared for the RNAV 12 approach at Monroe Municipal Airport (EFT). At the time of the approach, weather conditions at EFT were below landing minimums, with a visibility of 1/4 statute mile and an overcast ceiling of 300 feet AGL due to fog. The pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the crew would attempt a full-stop landing or execute a missed approach back to Oshkosh.
An airport witness reported hearing the engine power increase for a missed approach, followed by a loud explosion and a bright orange glow. ADS-B data indicated that after crossing the Visual Descent Point, the aircraft performed a series of maneuvers, including a left turning climb and a subsequent rapid right 270-degree climbing turn.
The aircraft eventually impacted mining equipment inside a gravel quarry approximately 0.5 nautical miles north of the airport. The right wing first struck an elevated rock shaker table mounted on a semi-trailer. The aircraft then proceeded through a portable rock crusher and struck a parked mine wheel loader, causing the airframe to fragment. The debris field measured approximately 300 feet by 200 feet and showed evidence of an explosion and post-accident fire.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the debris field revealed that the landing gear and flaps were in the retracted position. The PT6A-64 turboprop engine was found separated and fragmented across the debris field. Investigators found that the turbine discs from the power section had blades fractured from the hub, which was consistent with the engine being under power at the time of impact.
Records indicated the pilot had purchased the aircraft on November 4, 2025. Both the pilot and the passenger had completed required initial training for the TBM 700 on November 5, 2025, and held private pilot certificates with instrument ratings.