N850JHSocata TBM 700 · 2008

On November 26, 2023, at 1000 eastern standard time, a Socata TBM 700, N850JH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ludington, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed before the flight from Mason County Airport (LDM) in Ludington, Michigan, to Tri-State Steuben County Airport (ANQ) in Angola, Indiana. The pilot also obtained an electronic weather briefing on the morning of the accident.

According to the airport manager, he assisted the pilot and passenger in removing the airplane from an unheated hangar at the airport about 945. The airport manager stated that about 15 minutes after they pulled the airplane from the hangar the pilot taxied the airplane onto runway 8 and began the takeoff roll. The airport manager said that the takeoff appeared to be unremarkable except that the left wing dipped after rotation and the airplane continued to climb in a left bank. He watched the airplane until it disappeared into the clouds. The airport manager reported that it was snowing before and after departure. He took a photograph of the airplane taxiing to the runway and in the photograph, snow accumulation is visible on the ground and on the airplane wings, and horizontal stabilizer.

A witness walking her dog about ½ mile north of the departure end of runway 8 said that the airplane sounded loud and low. She said the airplane came over the tree line in a left-wing-low attitude and then disappeared behind the tree line before she heard a loud bang.

The airplane impacted a snow-covered field about ¼ mile north of the airport. A post-impact fire ensued.

According to flight training records, the pilot had a flight review and instrument proficiency check about 7 months before the accident. The flight review was conducted in the accident airplane and included training in winter weather conditions such as snow and ice. Insurance paperwork filed in March 2023 indicated the pilot had about 4,700 hours total time and 320 hours in the accident make and model airplane.

According to the airplane manufacturer’s pilot operating handbook (POH), during the preflight inspection, all snow, frost, and ice must be removed from all wing and control surfaces; the POH also states that on snow covered or icy runways the airplane must be sprayed with anti-icing fluid. Additionally, in March 2018, the manufacturer published SL-70-053, Deicing and Anti-icing Procedures on the Ground for TBM 700 aircraft. The SL stated that takeoffs with snow or ice adhering to the wings should not be attempted because this could drastically affect performance due to reduced aerodynamic lift and increased drag resulting from disturbed airflow. The SL further stated that anti-icing and de-icing procedures should be used when ground operations are being performed in snow or icing conditions. The SL recommends de-icing the airplane with de-icing fluids before departure to prevent the buildup of ice or snow. The airplane was equipped with wing surface deice boots.

WSR-88D Level-II base reflectivity weather radar imagery from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, site (KGRR) is presented the figure below. KGRR was located about 75 miles south-southeast of the accident location with an antenna elevation of 875 feet. The reflectivity images depict light reflectivity across the accident region.

Figure – KGRR 0.483° Level-II base reflectivity product from a sweep initiated at 1000:40. The accident location is identified by the red circle.

The pilot received a weather briefing on the morning of the accident. The briefing included information regarding current and forecasted conditions for snow and ice along the route of travel including current and forecasted conditions at the departure airport.

According to the airplane manufacturer’s pilot operating handbook (POH), during the preflight inspection, all snow, frost, and ice must be removed from all wing and control surfaces; the POH also states that on snow covered or icy runways the airplane must be sprayed with anti-icing fluid. Additionally, in March 2018, the manufacturer published SL-70-053, Deicing and Anti-icing Procedures on the Ground for TBM 700 aircraft. The SL stated that takeoffs with snow or ice adhering to the wings should not be attempted because this could drastically affect performance due to reduced aerodynamic lift and increased drag resulting from disturbed airflow. The SL further stated that anti-icing and de-icing procedures should be used when ground operations are being performed in snow or icing conditions. The SL recommends de-icing the airplane with de-icing fluids before departure to prevent the buildup of ice or snow. The airplane was equipped with wing surface deice boots.

The debris field, which was about 75 ft long and 40 ft wide, was situated on an east to west heading and consisted of pieces of the left fuel tank, fragmented pieces of the left flap, left fuel tank sensing unit, left wing root, one propeller blade, and left wing tip. Much of the left wing was at the end of the debris field just before the main wreckage. The main wreckage came to rest on its side on a heading of about 120°.

The fuselage was separated into two pieces aft of the firewall. The instrument panel and both yokes were visible; however, they were burned and melted. There were no reliable readings discernible from the instrument panel and the instruments could not be functionally tested.

The elevator trim was positioned 1 cm down from the elevator main trailing edge. The rudder trim was deflected to a near-neutral trim with a .2 cm deflection to the right. Rudder control push/pull tube continuity was confirmed. The rudder pivoted freely to the left and right to the maximum deflection. Continuity of the elevator control push/pull tube was confirmed.

The aileron trim on the left aileron was in the neutral position. The flap track on both the left and right flaps indicated the flaps were in the up position. The left and right aileron flight controls could not be functionally tested due to post-impact fire damage.

The G1000 flight deck and other avionics were consumed by post-impact fire. The secure digital (SD) card slots were located; however, the SD cards were not found.

The mixture, throttle, and propeller controls were not found. The fuel tanks on both wings were compromised and could not be functionally tested. The fuel selector valve was not located.

The engine was still attached to the engine mount at all four locations, and the engine mount was attached to the firewall. The engine exhibited heavy thermal damage. The case was intact, and no holes were noted. No fan liberation was noted. Two witnesses to the accident stated the engine was loud and making power just before impact.

All five composite propeller blades were impact-separated at the hub. The hub was still attached to the gear box. Only one propeller blade was found in the debris field. The pieces of the propeller that were still attached at the hub were ragged with a broom straw appearance cut at a 45° angle and packed with mud.

The nose landing gear and the right main gear were separated from the airplane, but the left main gear was in the wheel well.

An autopsy of the pilot was performed on November 27, 2023, by the Western Michigan University School of Medicine, Department of the Medical Examiner and Forensic Services. The cause of death was listed as the result of multiple injuries.

The FAA Forensic Science Laboratory performed toxicological testing. Ibuprofen was detected.