Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Cirrus SR22 GTS G3, N42BE, fatal accident occurred on October 21, 2025, near Ruston Regional Airport (RSN/KRSN), Ruston, Louisiana

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this post will be corrected when the preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N42BE

- History of Flight:
On October 21, 2025, at about 0944 local time, a Cirrus SR22 GTS G3, N42BE, registered to Lasalle Management Company LLC out of Ruston, LA, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain near Ruston Regional Airport (RSN/KRSN), Ruston, Louisiana. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. The cross-country personal flight originated from the Huntsville Airport (UTC/KUTS) in Huntsville, 
Texas, and was destined to Ruston.

According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data (figure 1), the airplane departed UTC at 0830 LT and proceeded to an inflight cruising altitude of 8900 ft. The flight appeared uneventful. At 0908 LT, the airplane started its descent towards the destination. At 0936:45, the airplane was at 1875 ft when it levelled up and entered a left turn headed north. At 0940:17, the airplane was at the same altitude with a reported ground speed of 126 when started a descent towards the airport. At about 0942:07, the airplane had descended to about 1450 ft and decelerated to about 97 knots GS when it entered a 180 climbing turn about 1.75 miles south of runway 36. The airplane descended about 50 ft at one point during the turn, but climbed back to 1975 ft. At 0943:08, the airplane was at 1950 ft, 129 knots GS, and at the conclusion of the turn when it entered a descent towards 1750 ft, which was followed by a climbing left hand turn. At 0943:36, the airplane reached 2300 ft and 56 knots GS when it started another descent. At 0943:51, the airplane had descended to about 1725 ft, 133 knots GS, when it entered another climbing left hand turn. At 0944:05, the airplane was at 2450 ft, 77 knots GS, when it began another descent. At 0944:12, the airplane was at 2350 ft, 96 knots GS, when it entered a climbing right hand turn. At 0944:20, the airplane was at 2450 ft, 101 knots GS. At 0944:22, the airplane descended to about 2250 ft, 116 knots GS, with an average rate of -1700 feet per minute (fpm). At 0944:28, the airplane was at 1650 ft, 179 knots GS, with an average rate of -6700 fpm. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 0944:34, the airplane was at 1550 ft, 153 knots GS, with an average rate of -1000 fpm (figure 3).

Figure 1: Entire Track (flysto)

Figure 2: Approach (Flysto)

Figure 3: End of Track

- Pilot Information:
unknown at this point.

- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, MSN 0341, was manufactured in 2012. It was a four-seat low-wing monoplane aircraft of composite construction. It was powered by a Continental TSIO-550-K engine driving a three-blade constant speed governor-regulated propeller.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane was completely destroyed during the accident sequence.

Airport Information:
Ruston Regional Airport is a non-towered public airport located about 3 miles east of Ruston, Louisiana. The airport field elevation was 316.8 ft. The airport features a single asphalt runway 18/36 that is 6002 x 100 ft.

- Weather:
At 0915, the weather observation facility at KRSN, recorded wind from 000° at 0 knots, 6 miles visibility, mist, a broken layer (SCT) at 3,300 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 6,000 ft AGL, temperature 19.5°C, dew point 19.5°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of mercury.

At 0935, the weather observation facility at KRSN, recorded wind from 340° at 9 knots, 7 miles visibility, light rain, few clouds at 400 ft AGL, a broken layer (SCT) at 2,100 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 3,300 ft AGL (Ceiling is variable from 1600 to 2500 feet), temperature 19.6°C, dew point 19.6°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of mercury.

At 0955, the weather observation facility at KRSN, recorded wind from 350° at 5 knots, 5 miles visibility, light rain and mist, a broken layer (SCT) at 300 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 2,000 ft AGL, temperature 19.3°C, dew point 19.3°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of mercury.

(2) METARs:

METAR KRSN 211415Z AUTO 00000KT 6SM BR BKN033 OVC060 19/19 A3005 RMK AO2 T01950195

METAR KRSN 211435Z AUTO 34009KT 7SM -RA FEW004 BKN021 OVC033 20/20 A3008 RMK AO2 RAB1431 CIG 016V025 PRESRR P0000 T01960196

METAR KRSN 211455Z AUTO 35005KT 5SM -RA BR BKN003 OVC020 19/19 A3007 RMK AO2 RAB1431 P0000 60001 T01930193 53013

(3) Area Forecast Discussion:

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
647 AM CDT Tue Oct 21 2025

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1238 PM CDT Mon Oct 20 2025

 - Favorable fire weather conditions will continue across mainly
   East Texas through mid-week. This brings the risk of easy fire
   starts and quick fire spreads.

 - A storm system at the end of the week and this weekend will
   raise the prospect for much needed rainfall and potentially
   severe weather.

 - An upcoming pattern change at the end of the forecast period
   may point towards a cooler and wetter weather regime to end the
   month.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1042 PM CDT Mon Oct 20 2025

A broad area of high pressure over Mexico is helping keep things
zonal over the southern CONUS early this week. The pressure
gradient in this flow is pronounced, bringing the breezy
conditions we saw on Monday. This pattern will continue through
the next several days and bring 20+ kt wind gusts to our western
zones. The Ark-La-Tx has also been firmly plunged into drought,
with the post frontal airmass that settled in on Saturday
exacerbating the dry conditions. These combined factors increase
concerns for fire activity over the next several days. As such, we
have issued a Fire Weather Watch that will be in effect for parts
of East Texas beginning at 11am CDT Tuesday morning.

Previous forecast discussions have mentioned another weak cold
front expected to move in from the northwest beginning Tuesday
morning. This cold front will be weaker than the one from this
past weekend, but some scattered rain showers will fire up along
and ahead of this boundary as daytime heating kicks off. The rain
won`t be enough to make a dent in the ongoing drought but a few
rumbles of thunder can`t be ruled out as coverage increases
through the evening. This front will move out to the southeast
Tuesday evening and leave an even drier airmass in its wake. RH`s
in the 20% range could cover as much as the northwestern 2/3rds of
the CWA by sunset. Both the elevated winds and the worst of the
dryness are centered over East Texas, but fire weather impacts for
the entire region should be monitored. Fire starts and spreading
will be amplified during these favorable conditions.

This front won`t bring any cooler temperatures, so expect
afternoon highs to be in the 80s for much of the week. The next
pattern change looks to occur later in the week with an incoming
low pressure system from out west. Long range models have hinted
at this system moving through Oklahoma and the Ozarks beginning on
Friday and bringing more widespread rain to the region through
Sunday afternoon. There is quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding
the timing and movement of the low pressure system among models,
which creates several different forecast solutions. Barring an
increase in forecasted instability and other convective parameters
over the coming days, severe hazards should be limited. However,
WPC is highlighting the Ark-La-Tx as having a marginal risk of
flash and urban flooding due to the expected duration of the rain
and the amount of atmospheric moisture available to the system.
More clarity on the long range forecast should come over the next
several days.

In addition to the desperately needed rain, long range models are
displaying another period of seasonal temperatures at the
beginning of next week. Unfortunately, we can`t take it at face
value quite yet.

/57/

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 641 AM CDT Tue Oct 21 2025

For the 21/12Z TAF period, a cold front continues to approach the
I-20 corridor with low stratus now largely widespread across our
entire airspace. Expect these IFR/MVFR cigs to persist throughout
the morning hours at most terminals with KTXK being the first site
to return to VFR status before improvement occurs elsewhere toward
midday or soon thereafter as the cold front shifts farther south.
Scattered showers are expected to increase in coverage as well as
the front moves along the I-20 corridor so have maintained -SHRA
at most sites along with VCTS mentioned at KMLU where forcing will
be a bit stronger as daytime heating is introduced later in the
morning hours. Otherwise, expect the cold front to clear all sites
by around 21/18Z or shortly thereafter with SKC returning through
the remainder of the period. Breezy S/SW winds ahead of the front
will quickly veer N/NW with fropa as speeds will generally range
between 6-12 kts before diminishing by 22/00Z under high pressure.

- Additional Information:

Figure: Turn rate profile at end of track (flysto)

Figure: Vertical speed profile at end of track (flysto)

Figure: Groundspeed profile towards end of track (Flysto)

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