20250426006609A

On April 26, 2025, at 1148L CST, the M20TN was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sparta, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated under 14 c.f.r. part 91.

The aircraft departed Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (ksrb) IFR at 0818L enroute to shelby county airport (keet) to pick up two passengers. The aircraft departed shelby county airport (keet) on an IFR flight plan at 0938L with the pilot and two passengers enroute to Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (ksrb). Video provided by various cameras obtained from the public shows the aircraft coming out of the clouds at approximately 3000 feet. ATC communications confirm the pilot cancelled his IFR clearance and a 3-mile final call was made on the ksrb CTAF frequency. Provided video evidence shows the aircraft in a constant decent before the video footage cuts out.

On site investigation of the wreckage revealed the aircraft on heading of 054 degree at impact, 1.68NM from the end of runway 04 at ksrb. The aircraft appeared to be in landing configuration with flaps and gear in the down position. The aircraft impacted a north/south running tree line through an open hay field. The left wing and nose of the aircraft impacted a tree and came to rest in creek bed with flowing water. The propeller was detached from the engine and was sticking out of the ground adjacent the aircraft engine. No rotational damage was observed on the propeller or nose cone. The right wing was partially detached and bent upwards of approximately 45 degrees. The left wing was still intact with damage to the leading edge from impacting the tree near the root of the wing. The smell of fuel was still present, and fuel was still in the left-wing tank. The level of fuel in the right-wing fuel tank could not be determined due to the severance of fuel lines of the right wing. During the removal of the pilot and passenger it was noted that no seatbelts were fastened.

During the layout process, flight control continuity of all flight controls was established. SD cards from both the garmin G1000 PFD and MFD were recovered but revealed no useable data concerning the accident. Initial examination of the Continental tsio-550-G engine revealed a hole in the crank case. The oil filter was removed and revealed metal particulate. Oil pan was removed and revealed severe internal damage. The engine was shipped to Continental for further examination. Further inspection revealed the aircraft utilized amsafe seat belt airbag system which showed explosive cartridges had expired and the control unit was past its condemnation date. Inspection of all seatbelts showed no witness marks on the buckles and no airbag deployment.

Review of the aircraft/engine maintenance logbooks revealed missing logbook entries for recent routine oil changes that were performed. Work orders were obtained showing routine oil changes had been performed. Additionally, it was noted that from time of manufacture to September 2018, the engine had a total of 20 cylinders replaced.

Weight and balance calculations were conducted as part of the investigation. Cargo that was recovered at the accident site that was loaded in the baggage compartment of the aircraft weighed 98 pounds. The most current w&b form from the aircraft POH was used along with the current weight of the pilot and passengers. Fuel weight was calculated utilizing full tank of fuel departing ksrb with a burn rate of 20 gph (derived from pilots that flew with the accident pilot). Weight and balanced revealed the aircraft was in CG but was operating over the max gross weight at the time of impact by 310.7 pounds.

Pilot logbooks could not be obtained