N689VP

On August 20, 2024, about 0700 central daylight time, a Cessna 550 airplane, N689VP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Odessa, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. A person on the ground was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The airplane departed Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field (ODO), Odessa, Texas, from runway 16. A pilot-certificated witness heard the airplane’s engines and noted that they sounded unusual, so he went to observe the airplane. He saw the airplane as it flew down the last 1/3 portion of the 5,003 ft long runway, about 10 ft above ground level in a near level attitude. The airplane then collided with power lines and a restaurant building.

Impact signatures were consistent with the airplane colliding with power lines and a one-story restaurant. The right main landing gear sheared and was entangled in the building’s roof. The airplane came to rest about 150 yards south and impacted two garage areas. A post impact fire ensued which consumed a majority of the airplane.

Remnants of all the primary flight controls were located at the accident site. The parking brake valve was located and found in the disengaged position. A cockpit voice recorder was located in the wreckage and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board vehicle recorders lab for download.

The airplane was retained for further examination.