N885CA

On October 29, 2024, about 1645 Mountain daylight time, a Daher TBM 700, N885CA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pinedale, Wyoming. The pilot and 5 passengers sustained minor injuries, and 1 passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a witness located at the Ralph Wenz Field Airport (PNA), Pinedale, Wyoming, the airplane landed and refueled. About 40 gallons of fuel was added to each fuel tank and the six passengers boarded the airplane during the stop. He noted that there was heavy snow falling during the airplane’s time on the ground. Before taxi, the pilot cleared the snow off the airplane with a brush.

The witness stated the snowfall was light when he observed the airplane taxi and takeoff on runway 29. Shortly after becoming airborne, the left wing dropped and struck terrain. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on a snow drift adjacent to the runway. The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence.

The airplane was recovered and secured for further examination.