This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N121GJ
- History of Flight:
On October 5, 2025, at about 1610 local time, a Beechcraft 58P Baron, N121GJ, registered to 424 Ventures LLC out of Saint Petersburg, FL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Williston Regional Airport (X60), Williston, Florida. The pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The cross-country flight originated from the Lebanon Springfield Airport-George Hoerter Field (6I2), Springfield, Kentucky, and was destined to X60.
Preliminary flight-track history suggests the airplane was based out of Albert Whitted Airport (SPG/KSPG), Saint Petersburg, Florida, and was a frequent flyer. On October 4, the airplane departed KSPG on a flight to Bowling Green (KBWG), Kentucky. On October 5, the airplane departed KBWG on a flight to 6I2. Williston (X60) was an intended fuel-stop, and KSPG was the most likely destination.
According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data (figure 1), at 1319 LT, the airplane departed 6I2 and proceeded to an inflight cruising altitude of 17,200 ft and 180-190 knots grorundspeed. The flight appeared uneventful. At 1553:36, the airplane started its descent towards Williston. The airplane appeared to be in a straight line (controlled descent), heading southeast, while maintaining an average rate of -1400 feet per minute (fpm). At 1606:52, the airplane reached 1,300 ft, stopped descending, and briefly climbed back to 1,400 ft. At 1609:19, the airplane was at 1,400 ft, 166 knots groundspeed, without a climb/descent rate about 3.5 miles north of X60. 14 seconds later, at 16:09:33, the airplane entered a steep descent which lasted about 20 seconds towards the end of the track. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1609:52, the airplane was at 400 ft, 194 knots groundspeed, and descending 4100 feet per minute (fpm).
Witnesses reported that the airplane exploded after impacting terrain. Nothing else is known at this time.
- Pilot Information:
unknown at this point.
- Airplane Information:
The six-seat, low-wing, pressurized, retractable-gear airplane, serial number TJ-62, was manufactured in 1976. It was powered by two Continental TSIO 520WB3F, 325-horsepower engines, equipped with McCauley propellers. The airplane was equipped for IMC flight.
According to the most recent sale listing;
"N121GJ 1976 Baron 58P, Serial No. TJ-62, 5825 Total Time Since New, TSIO-520WB 325 Horsepower Engines 780 and 885 Since Major Overhaul - 3 Blade Hot Props, Pressurized to 25,000 Feet, Factory Air Conditioning, Colemill Winglets with Long Range Fuel, De-Ice Boots, Recent New Generation S-TEC 3100 Autopilot coupled with Aspen 1000 Pro Max EFIS PFD, Garmin GNS-530W GPS/Nav/Com w WAAS, Garmin Flight Stream 210, Garmin Transponder w ADS-B, GDL-69A XM Weather and Music, Garmin GTS800 Active Traffic, Bendix Color Weather Radar, Garmin GMA-340 Audio Panel and Intercom System, Strobe Lights - 3 Light System, JPI EDM-760 Graphic Engine Monitor, Electric Elevator Trim, 196 Gallons Usable Fuel, Built-In Oxygen System, Club Seating with 6 Seats, G & D Tinted Window Inserts, Dual Control Wheels, Rosen Sun Visors, "Spring Thing" Nose Baggage Door Holder, Aft and Nose Baggage Compartments, V/G's Vortex Generators, Stainless Steel Screws, Panel Mounted USB Ports, Standby Attitude Indicator, LED Landing Light, Complete Logbooks, Old Damage History 2014, Excellent Condition, Great Maintenance, New Annual March 2023 $295,000 with Baron School."
The airplane was involved in a gearup landing event in 2014.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The wreckage was located in an open field about 1.90 miles north of the airport. There was a long debris field leading to the main wreckage. The airplane was highly fragmented and consumed by a post crash fire. The accident sequence appears consistent with a wings low, nose down, high speed impact.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
At 1555, the weather observation facility at X60 recorded wind from 060° at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, a scattered ceiling (SCT) at 2,300ft AGL, a broken layer (BKN) at 3,200ft AGL, and an overcast ceiling (OVC) at 4,800ft AGL, temperature 28.5°C, dew point 24.1°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury.
At 1615, the weather observation facility at X60 recorded wind from 080° at 8 knots (direction is variable between 040 and 130), 10 miles visibility, thunderstorm in the vicinity, a scattered ceiling (SCT) at 2,400ft AGL, a broken layer (BKN) at 3,300ft AGL, and an overcast ceiling (OVC) at 5,500ft AGL, temperature 28.4°C, dew point 22.7°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.
(2) METARs:
METAR KX60 051955Z AUTO 06010KT 10SM SCT023 BKN032 OVC048 28/24 A3002 RMK AO2 T02850241
METAR KX60 052015Z AUTO 08008KT 040V130 10SM VCTS SCT024 BKN033 BKN055 28/23 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N NE AND SW T02840227
METAR KX60 052035Z AUTO 09007G17KT 050V120 10SM TS SCT022 BKN038 BKN065 27/23 A3002 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE AND SW T02710226
(3) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 221 PM EDT Sun Oct 5 2025 ...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER... .DISCUSSION... Issued at 220 PM EDT Sun Oct 5 2025 Strong easterly flow is sticking around but the big difference today is an increase in moisture. PW from this morning sounding is right at 2 inches compared to the 1.5 we saw yesterday. This will result in more shower chances today but they will be quick moving from east to west. We will see very similiar conditions for Monday and Tuesday with quick moving showers moving east to west. Starting on Wednesday the easterly winds will remain but much drier air will move overhead. This will result in limit shower chances for Wednesday and Thursday. By Friday moisture will increase ahead of a front that will push through early Saturday. This will result in scattered showers and storms returning to the forecast. Once the front pushes through early Saturday we will see much drier and slightly cooler air. Highs on Saturday look to stay in the mid 80`s with little to no showers expected. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 220 PM EDT Sun Oct 5 2025 More moisture in the mid to upper levels will allow for better storm chances today with scattered showers and storms this afternoon and evening. Our northern site will also see gusty easterly winds this afternoon with gust up to 25 knots possible. VFR conditions expected through the period outside of thunderstorms. && .MARINE... Issued at 220 PM EDT Sun Oct 5 2025 Unfortunately winds will remain around Small Craft Advisory conditions for Sunday and through our work week of the east. The only exception to that will be our southern waters which should see winds more around 10 to 15 knots. With the strong easterly winds our best chance to see showers each day will be in the late evening and early overnight hours as showers push off the west coast.
- Additional Information:
No
The only thing I could imagine is a bird strike or medical event that incapacitated the pilot but if there was a passenger in the other seat surely they would have tried to control the plane?
ReplyDeleteHeard this play out on 121.5 after departing Sarasota. Several airplanes attempted to relay information to ATC and we overheard someone that must have had eyes on state “There’s not going to be any survivors.”
ReplyDelete