What happened
While cruising at 6,000 feet, the pilot of N711Y, a private aircraft, notified air traffic control of an unspecified issue and requested a return to Texarkana. After receiving vectors and information regarding nearby airports, the pilot reported that reaching those destinations would not be possible. Shortly thereafter, the crew reported smoke entering the cockpit.
Prior to the smoke entering the cabin, the captain had made several unsuccessful attempts to activate the cabin heater. As the smoke density increased, the crew opened the cockpit windows and fresh air vents in an attempt to clear the cabin, but visibility became severely limited. During the emergency descent and subsequent landing in a field, the aircraft struck utility wires and a pole before crashing into trees. The impact and subsequent fire caused extensive damage to the airframe.
While the crew managed to exit through the cockpit windows, the passengers were unable to escape. The accident resulted in multiple fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several contributing factors regarding the management of the emergency. It was noted that the pilot in command did not follow established emergency procedures and failed to utilize checklists during the crisis. Additionally, the crew did not employ the onboard oxygen system or handheld fire extinguishers.
The fire is believed to have started in the rear right side of the cabin near the floor level, though the specific ignition source and fuel remained unidentified. It was observed that fasteners for the heater door were unfastened. The crash sequence involved a collision with transmission wires and a utility pole, followed by contact with trees.