Pillatus PC-12-47E | N357HE
July 26th, 2024 | Recluse, Wyoming
Accident Location
- City: Recluse
- State: Wyoming
- Latitude: 44.877289
- Longitude: -105.58919
- Airport ID:
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N357HE
- Make: Pillatus
- Model: PC-12-47E
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Haynie, Larry
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 67
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: July 26th, 2024
- Time: 1:05 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Enroute
- Total People Onboard: 7
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 6
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 7
- NTSB No: WPR24FA257
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- AQP Classification: 24) IN FLIGHT BREAKUP, U-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot did allow the aircraft to exceed manufacture max speed limits, and possibly turbulent air penetration procedures. The aircraft did enter an area of known icing, as well as significant weather. It is not known whether any other systems failures contributed to the accident. The aircraft broke up in flight and was found scattered over a very large area.
NTSB: Probable Cause issued 8/26/2026 – 25 months after the accident: The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an updraft from convective activity.
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft review in flight weather forecasts for both significant weather as well as freezing conditions, and avoid where possible. The DTSB recommends slowing to Va speed well prior to approaching any known severe turbulence or severe weather, and to avoid all by good margins where possible.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.