The turboprop-converted Piper PA-46 JetProp DLX that crashed in Yoakum, Texas at about 10:39 a.m. local time on January 17 was flying in IMC and above freezing temperatures, according to the NTSB preliminary report. The pilot and three passengers were killed and one passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was on an IFR Part 91 business flight from Memphis International Airport to Yoakum Municipal Airport.
ADS-B data showed that after being cleared for the RNAV (GPS) Runway 31 approach at Yoakum, the airplane—then about one mile south of the runway—turned to the east, descended, and crashed in a field approximately 1.5 miles southeast of the airport. It came to rest upright, and both wings were found separated from the fuselage due to impact.
Investigators reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage, but there was no post-impact fire. The injured passenger was able to exit the cabin and contact first responders on his mobile phone. Representatives from the NTSB, the FAA, and Piper Aircraft arrived at the accident site to conduct initial documentation and examination.
This is the second fatal accident of a DLX-converted PA-46 in just over a month. On December 12, a pilot died when his JetProp crashed while on approach to Goose Bay Airport, Canada.