Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C, N317HM, accident occurred on April 13, 2026, near Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP/KCRP), Corpus Christi, Texas

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=N317HM

- History of Flight:
On April 13, 2026, at about 1919 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C, N317HM, registered to Splendid Aviation-Victoria LLC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP/KCRP), Corpus Christi, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The local training flight originated from the airport at 1851 LT.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances and post crash fire." ADS-B data show that the airplane was on approach to runway 13 and flying at a reported altitude of 100 ft. The last ADS-B data point was recorded over a highway that has powerlines running parallel to it. A review of previous approaches to runway 13 showed that the airplane was usually flying at 200 ft at that point of the approach.

Figure 1: Last few ADS-B data points with previous approaches

According to local media, the airplane collided with powerlines and a post crash fire ensued. A review of post accident photos showed that powerlines were still attached to the airplane and consumed by fire as well.

Figure 2: Airplane in final rest, note downed powerlines attached to it.

The reported weather at 1851 included: Winds 150 at 18 knots, 10 mile visibility, few clouds at 1,500 ft AGL and 2,300 ft AGL, a scattered cloud layer at 3,000 ft, temperature 26°C, dewpoint 21°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of mercury.

- Weather:

METAR KCRP 132315Z 15020KT 10SM FEW015 SCT023 SCT030 27/21 A2999 RMK AO2 PK WND 16028/2302 T02720206

METAR KCRP 132351Z 15018KT 10SM FEW015 FEW023 SCT030 26/21 A3000 RMK AO2 PK WND 16028/2302 SLP158 T02610206 10306 20261 55006

METAR KCRP 140051Z 14017KT 10SM FEW015 FEW021 FEW250 25/21 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP158 T02500211