August 4, 2004, Mineral Wells, Texas / Piper PA-32-260

At approximately 1140 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it departed controlled flight, impacting power lines and terrain one mile northwest of the Mineral Wells (Texas) Municipal Airport. Visual conditions prevailed for the test flight by a Commercial pilot and Private-pilot rated passenger. Both sustained fatal injuries. According to several witnesses, the accident airplane was observed flying over Runway 31 at approximately 150 feet AGL and flying rather slow. The airplane then pulled-up hard and banked to the right. and was observed to descend below the tree line. The airplane was found, inverted, in an open field, directly under power lines. A power pole, located 430 fee...

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed approximately one mile northwest of Mineral Wells, Texas, during a test flight, resulting in fatal injuries to both the Commercial pilot and Private-pilot rated passenger.
  • Witnesses observed the aircraft flying low and slow over Runway 31 before executing a hard pull-up and right bank, subsequently descending below the tree line.
  • The airplane was found inverted in an open field, directly under power lines, with a broken power pole and a downed northern power line confirming impact with electrical infrastructure.
See a mistake? Contact us.

At approximately 1140 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it departed controlled flight, impacting power lines and terrain one mile northwest of the Mineral Wells (Texas) Municipal Airport. Visual conditions prevailed for the test flight by a Commercial pilot and Private-pilot rated passenger. Both sustained fatal injuries. According to several witnesses, the accident airplane was observed flying over Runway 31 at approximately 150 feet AGL and flying rather slow. The airplane then pulled-up hard and banked to the right. and was observed to descend below the tree line. The airplane was found, inverted, in an open field, directly under power lines. A power pole, located 430 feet west of the airplane was broken. The northern power line was down.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE