CEN25FA184

On May 24, 2025, about 1658 central daylight time (CDT), a Rockwell Commander 114A airplane, N5903N, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hankamer, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. ADS-B data for the accident flight was provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. The recorded data showed the airplane as it departed from the Baytown Airport, Baytown, Texas, about 1627, and flew to the east, before making several turns between 2,500 ft to 4,000 ft mean sea level (MSL), as depicted in figure 1. Shortly before the accident, the airplane flew north and climbed to about 4,275 ft MSL while the airspeed decreased, as depicted in figure 2 and figure 3. About 1657:30, the airplane had decelerated to about 59 knots calibrated airspeed when it entered a steep descent. At 1657:48, the final recorded ADS-B data return indicated that the airplane was descending through 1,366 feet MSL with a descent rate more than 14,700 feet per minute. That final ADS-B return was about 790 ft south of the accident site. Security video from a nearby business captured the airplane as it descended and impacted terrain. The airplane appeared to be intact and in a steep nose-low attitude, as shown in figure 4. A review of the video did not reveal a significant change in the airplane’s roll or pitch attitude during the recorded descent. Figure 1 – Airplane ground track based on ADS-B data. Figure 2 – Airplane altitude, ground speed, true airspeed, calibrated airspeed, and vertical speed. Figure 3 – Airplane ground track angle, roll angle, and flight path angle. Figure 4 – Security camera video screenshot overlays. The airplane impacted in a heavily wooded area; ground signatures and the associated debris field were consistent with a high-energy, high angle impact. The initial impact point were tree limbs and ground impact signatures consistent with a near vertical descent into terrain. Debris fanned out between 300° and 045° with left wing pieces and parts of the empennage located directly north of the impact point. The airplane’s cruciform tail section, to include the rudder and elevators, was located at the top of the impact site, and the remainder of the airplane was buried within the terrain with the engine located about 10 ft. down. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. On his most recent application for a FAA medical certificate, dated October 18, 2024, the pilot reported having accrued 1,230 total hours with 40 hours logged in the preceding six months.