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=N111RF
- History of Flight:
On October 13, 2025, at about 0813 local time, a Socata TBM700C2, N111RF, registered to Easton Air LLC out of Middletown, Rhode Island, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The two occupants onboard sustained fatal injuries. The cross-country flight originated from the New Bedford Airport (EWB/KEWB), New Bedford, Massachusetts, and was destined to Kenosha-Kenosha Municipal Airport (ENW/KENW), Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The purpose of the flight is unknown. The airplane conducted flights for Air Charity Network in the past.
According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data (figure 1), at 0810:10, the airplane departed runway 5 at KEWB and entered a climbing left turn to an altitude of 750 ft. At 0811:35, the airplane started a descent from that altitude to 500 ft. At 0812:29, the airplane climbed to about 550 ft. At 0812:38, the airplane started another descent to 500 ft. At 0812:58, the airplane was at 475 ft, 108 knots groundspeed when it started another, but final climb. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 525 ft, 92 knots groundspeed with an average rate of about 100 feet per minute (fpm) roughly 0.20 mile from the accident site.
Weather conditions at the time were very bad, with several people describing it as "not suitable for flying".
- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 68, held a private pilot certificate, issued/updated on 5/13/2011, with rating for airplane single-engine-land, and an instrument rating. His third class FAA medical was issued on May 2025, with a note that he must wear corrective lens(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.
- Airplane Information:
The airplane, a Socata TBM 700 C2, serial number 259, was manufactured in 2003. The low-wing airplane was of conventional aluminum construction and was equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear and a pressurized cabin that was configured to seat six individuals. The airplane was powered by a 700 shaft-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-64 turbo-propeller engine, through a 4-blade, constant speed, full-feathering, Hartzell propeller assembly. The airplane was approved for operations in instrument meteorological conditions and in known icing conditions. The airplane had a maximum allowable takeoff weight of 7,394 pounds. On May 29, 2003, the airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate and a registration number when it was imported into the United States after manufacture in France. The airplane was registered to the current owner/operator on September 11, 2023.
The airplane had two fuel tanks, one located in each wing, and a total fuel capacity of 290.6 gallons (281.6 gallons usable).
According to the Socata TBM 700 C2 Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), Supplement No. 41, the aerodynamic stall speed at maximum takeoff weight with the landing gear and flaps extended for landing is 65 knots. The aerodynamic stall speed at maximum takeoff weight with the landing gear and flaps extended for takeoff is 77 knots. The aerodynamic stall speed at maximum takeoff weight with the landing gear and flaps retracted is 83 knots. The approach speed with flaps in the landing position is 85 knots.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The first identified point(s) of impact were trees that were contacted on the right side of the highway. There was also damage to the right side guardrail and scarred ground impressions on the westbound lane exit right before the Charles A Christie Memorial Bridge. During the accident sequence, debris struck a travelling motorvehicle, resulting in extensive damage to the right (front seat passenger) side. The airplane continued down the westbound lane and into the median before rolling into a stop. The right wing and right landing gear were impact damaged, separated, and sustained thermal damage and located a few feet from the main wreckage. The inner left wing and left landing gear remained attached to the airframe and sustained impact and thermal damage. The reminder of the wing was not visible in photos. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, which came to rest on its right side. The fuselage was mostly intact, but sustained impact and thermal damage. The tail section remained attached to the airframe, but portions of the tail were impact damaged and separated. The engine sustained extensive impact damage.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
A postaccident review of available meteorological data established that day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site. At 0807, about 6 minutes before the accident, the KEWB automated surface observing system reported winds from 030° at 14 knots, gusting 31 knots, 1.75 mile surface visibility, light rain with mist, a broken cloud layer at 900 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 1500 ft AGL, temperature 13.3°C, dew point 12.2°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury. At 0816, about 3 minutes after the accident, the KEWB automated surface observing system reported winds from 040° at 19 knots, gusting 28 knots, 2.5 mile surface visibility, light rain with mist, a broken cloud layer at 900 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 1500 ft AGL, temperature 13.3°C, dew point 12.2°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury.
(1) METARs:
METAR KEWB 131135Z 04016G26KT 1 3/4SM RA BR BKN009 OVC014 13/13 A3003 RMK AO2 PK WND 04032/1121 P0007 T01330128
METAR KEWB 131153Z 04016G30KT 2SM -RA BR BKN009 OVC015 13/12 A3003 RMK AO2 PK WND 04032/1121 SLP169 P0009 60076 70204 T01330122 10139 20133 53010
METAR KEWB 131207Z 03014G31KT 1 3/4SM R05/6000VP6000FT -RA BR BKN009 OVC015 13/12 A3003 RMK AO2 PK WND 05031/1202 P0003 T01330122
METAR KEWB 131216Z 04019G28KT 2 1/2SM -RA BR BKN009 OVC015 13/12 A3004 RMK AO2 PK WND 05031/1202 P0004 T01330122
METAR KEWB 131234Z 04015G31KT 2SM RA BR BKN010 OVC015 13/12 A3004 RMK AO2 PK WND 04031/1230 P0007 T01330122
(3) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 419 AM EDT Mon Oct 13 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A coastal storm brings rain and strong coastal winds into tonight, along with the minor coastal flooding and erosion. This coastal low then begins to move farther offshore Tuesday, with decreasing rains and easing northerly winds. However, an unseasonably cool airmass brings dry weather with below normal temperatures and a return of breezy northwest winds for mid to late this week. Temperatures then rebound back to above normal levels for this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... Key Messages: * Rain, heavy at times today, with additional heavy rain tonight across portions of eastern MA * Gusty NE winds peak this morning. Strongest winds over Cape/Islands where gusts to 50+ mph expected with some power outages possible * Pockets of minor coastal flooding during high tide No significant changes to the ongoing forecast. Did make some tweaks to timing based on the latest guidance suite. Thinking rainfall chances decrease more quickly this afternoon across the western half of southern New England. That said, it`s not to be taken that it will be completely dry. Expecting up to an additional 0.75 inch of rainfall across the western half of our region today. Farther east, rainfall up to 1.50 inches is expected, especially across portions of southeast MA. Nay actually see a little break in the rainfall towards the Cape and islands this morning, which will help to lower rainfall totals there today. Still not overly concerned about the possibility of thunderstorms today, but the risk is not negligible. The most likely area would be across southeast MA, and perhaps RI. Thinking the nature of the precipitation will be more showery than stratiform. So there should be some periods of drier weather between these showers. No changes to the wind forecast into this morning, at least for now. Thinking the High Wind Warning can be downgraded later this morning. Will let a later shift fine-tune the timing of any such change. Given most trees remain fully leaved, some tree damage and power outages are possible, mainly over the Cape and Islands. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... Key Messages: * Rain with northeast to northerly breezes continue Tue, easing Tue night. Details: Still contending with lingering impacts from the coastal storm tonight into Tuesday night, in the form of continued areas of rain and northerly breezes. The character of the rain trends more intermittent or even drizzle as drier air aloft works in on the northwest periphery of this coastal low`s circulation; steady light rains continuing for eastern/coastal MA and portions of eastern RI. NE to N winds gusting around 20-25 mph, but still up to 30 mph over the Cape and Islands during the day. Highs mid 50s to lower 60s are cooler than normal but will feel quite a bit cooler with the continued northerly breezes. Coastal low then finally pulls away Tuesday evening; rain then starts to taper off Tuesday night from W to E, although intermittent showers may still hold on overnight across the Cape and Islands. N to NW wind gusts will also be easing up Tue evening as well. Still possible we`ll have to watch for splashover around Nantucket for the Tuesday evening high tide, but easing NW winds lead to somewhat lower storm surge values at around a foot; with astro tide of 3.81 ft and would need a little higher storm surge to get to minor flood stage.
Forecaster Confidence Levels...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Today: High confidence in trends but lower confidence on the
timing.
IFR-LIFR ceilings with IFR-MVFR visibilities in steady rain
becoming more shower later this morning. E-NE winds 15-25 kt
with gusts 25-30 kt inland, and around 35-50 kt near the coasts.
Strongest gusts over the Cape and Islands. Strong LLWS up to
60 kt possible, especially towards the Cape and Nantucket this
morning.
Tonight and Tuesday: High confidence in trends but lower
confidence in the timing.
IFR/LIFR ceilings tonight become MVFR/IFR late Tuesday morning
into the afternoon. Coverage of showers decreasing across
the interior, but still widespread towards eastern MA. gusty N
to NE winds continue, but not as strong as today.
Tuesday Night: High confidence.
MVFR ceilings becoming VFR. Decreasing N to NW winds.
KBOS Terminal...High confidence in TAF trends. Moderate confidence in
timing.
KBDL Terminal...High confidence in TAF trends. Moderate confidence in
timing.
Outlook /Wednesday through Friday/...
Wednesday through Wednesday Night: VFR. Breezy. Slight chance
SHRA.
Thursday through Thursday Night: VFR. Windy with gusts up to
35 kt. Slight chance SHRA.
Friday: VFR. Windy with local gusts up to 30 kt.- Additional Information:
none.
Typo, departed EWB 5 not KENW
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