Accident Overview
On November 24, 2025, about 1713 central standard time, a Socata TBM 700 airplane, registration N700PT, was destroyed when it impacted mining equipment in a gravel quarry approximately 0.5 nautical miles north of Monroe Municipal Airport (EFT) in Monroe, Wisconsin. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
The airplane departed Oshkosh Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) at about 1641. At 1704, air traffic control (ATC) cleared the flight for the RNAV 12 approach at EFT. The 1655 automated weather observation reported wind from 180° at 6 knots, fog, ¼ statute mile visibility, and an overcast ceiling at 300 ft above ground level, with a temperature-dewpoint spread of 0 degrees. The RNAV 12 approach Category A minimums were 400 ft ceiling and 1 statute mile visibility. Before the approach clearance, the pilot told ATC, "if we can get in there it will be a full stop, if not we will go missed [approach] back to Oshkosh." ATC issued amended missed approach instructions: runway heading and 4,000 ft mean sea level. Weather at EFT had been below landing minimums since 1215.
Witness and ADS-B Data
A witness at the airport reported hearing the airplane increase engine power for a missed approach and then observing a bright orange glow and a loud explosion. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane crossing the RNAV 12 Visual Descent Point at 1,500 ft mean sea level (MSL) on a track of 121° at 110 knots ground speed. It then initiated a left climbing turn to 1,800 ft MSL and a track of 067°, accelerating to 146 knots. The airplane continued to accelerate to 188 knots while entering a right descending turn to 1,100 ft MSL, followed by a rapid right 270° climbing turn to 3,000 ft MSL.
Impact and Debris
The initial impact point was the airplane's right wing embedded in an elevated rock shaker table mounted on a semi-trailer. The airplane continued through a portable rock crusher and impacted a parked mine wheel loader, resulting in fragmentation of the airframe. Witness marks and impact damage were consistent with a nose-down high-speed impact. The debris field was approximately 300 ft long and 200 ft wide on a heading of about 062°, with evidence of an explosion and post-accident fire. Post-accident examination revealed the flaps and landing gear were retracted. The PT6A-64 turboprop engine was fragmented throughout the debris field; turbine blades from the power section were fractured from their hubs, consistent with the engine producing power at impact.
Pilot and Training Information
The airplane was purchased by the pilot on November 4, 2025. Training records indicated both the pilot and pilot-rated passenger completed the insurance-required TBM 700 initial training on November 5, 2025. Both held private pilot certificates with instrument ratings and had completed a flight review and instrument proficiency check on the same date. The pilot had previously owned a Cessna 421. Two Garmin GTN 750 units were recovered from the debris for further examination.