Accident Overview
On February 4, 2026, at approximately 1950 mountain standard time, a Socata TB21, registration N967WM, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Prescott, Arizona. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Path and Communications
ADS-B data from the FAA indicated that the airplane departed John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, California, at about 1650 Pacific standard time in visual meteorological conditions. Its planned destination was Prescott Regional/Ernest Love Field Airport (PRC) in Prescott, Arizona, approximately 278 nautical miles east of SNA. The enroute cruise altitude was about 11,500 ft mean sea level (msl), and the airplane flew eastward for about two hours.
Air Traffic Control audio revealed that the pilot contacted the PRC tower controller around 1944 and announced his intention to land. The controller instructed the pilot to maintain at or above 6,500 ft msl, pass over the airport, and enter a downwind leg for Runway 21L. The pilot acknowledged and flew over the airport about 1947. At 1948:06, the controller cancelled the altitude restriction, directed the pilot to extend the downwind, and stated he would call the base turn. The pilot acknowledged. At 1948:46, the controller cautioned the pilot about proximity to the final approach course due to another aircraft on final approach, which the pilot acknowledged.
While flying downwind, the pilot continued past the airport over unlit pastureland. At 1949:01, the controller cleared the pilot to land on Runway 21L. At that time, the airplane was about 3 nautical miles northeast of PRC and began a left turn to the base leg. ADS-B data showed that during the turn, the airplane rapidly descended, losing approximately 800 ft of altitude and gaining about 58 knots of airspeed in about 16 seconds. The airplane disappeared from radar at 1950:45. Tower controllers attempted to contact the pilot multiple times and requested assistance from other aircraft in locating the airplane.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane came to rest inverted in upward sloping pasture with grassy vegetation on a northeasterly heading at an elevation of about 4,900 ft msl. The main wreckage was about 3 miles northeast of the approach end of Runway 21L, near the extended centerline. The initial impact point (IIP) was marked by a ground scar containing fragments of the left position light. A debris path extended about 440 ft from the IIP on a magnetic heading of about 287°. All major components were within the debris field. Both wings had separated from the fuselage and were fragmented along the path. The fuselage and empennage remained attached and came to rest about 360 ft west of the IIP. The engine was located about 60 ft west of the fuselage.
A ground scar with five propeller strike marks was located about 31 ft west of the IIP, collocated with the propeller blades and hub. The two propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratches, nicks, and gouges. One blade displayed S-bending, and the other blade was bent outboard. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.