N291AN – CESSNA 421 – 2026-05-01 NTSB Accident Report

On April 30, 2026, about 2303 central daylight time, a Cessna 421C airplane, N291AN, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Wimberley, Texas. The private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

A review of ADS-B and air traffic control recordings showed that the airplane departed River Falls Airport (H81), Amarillo, Texas, about 2110, and received an instrument flight rules clearance to New Braunfels National Airport (BAZ), New Braunfels, Texas. While enroute, the pilot reported to Houston Center that his pitot heat was inoperative and requested an altitude check which the controller provided. Houston Center gave a frequency change for Austin Approach and the pilot acknowledged. While on the descent to the airport, the pilot radioed Austin Approach control at 2257:54, and informed them that he was in a descent to 8,000 ft. The Austin controller cleared the pilot down to 4,000 ft. The pilot acknowledged the descent clearance and informed the controller that his pitot tube was iced up and that he was using backup gauges. He wanted to get to a lower altitude to “warm back up”. At 2259:47, the approach controller provided a radio frequency change which the pilot acknowledged. No further radio transmissions were made by the pilot. Shortly after the pilot’s last radio transmission, ADS-B information showed the airplane turned left, made a near 180° right turn, then maneuvered to the south followed by a descending right turn. The last ADS-B return occurred at 2302:07.

Figure 1. ADS-B track with Main Wreckage Annotated

A homeowner heard the airplane impact terrain, saw the wreckage on fire, and notified first responders.

The wreckage was located in a wooded area near a private residence at an elevation of about 1,205 ft MSL. The distribution of wreckage was consistent with an inflight breakup. The total debris field measured about 1.25 miles, oriented generally northeast. Starting with the furthest southwestern piece of the left elevator, the left horizontal stabilizer, right elevator, left wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and left aileron led towards the main wreckage. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, empennage, the inboard left wing to the engine pylon, the entire right wing, the vertical stabilizer, and a portion of the rudder. To the northeast of the main wreckage were the left engine with the propeller still attached, and the right engine with its propeller impact separated.

Figure 2. Wreckage Path with ADS-B path

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Documents on file with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed that the pilot received his private pilot certificate for single engine land on February 3, 2025. He received his instrument airplane rating on June 9, 2025, and multi-engine land rating on July 9, 2025.

Preliminary weather information found that during the last 15 minutes of the accident flight, the airplane flew just above the freezing with temperatures between -2°C to -6°C. Models showed the potential for icing with moderate accumulation rates and the potential for supercooled large droplets.