Cessna 340A accident near Tatum, Texas, April 19, 2021
On April 19, 2021 at about 6:46 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna 340A, registered N801EC, was destroyed in an accident during enroute near Tatum, Texas (East Regional airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 19, 2021 · about 6:46 pm local time
- Place
- Tatum, Texas · East Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 340A, built 1977 · all 340As on the register
- Registration
- N801EC · no longer on the register · serial 340A0312
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was planning to perform a functional test of the airplane’s newly upgraded autopilot system. Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data showed that, after takeoff, the airplane turned east and climbed to 2,750 ft. Air traffic control information indicated that the controller cleared the pilot to operate under visual flight rules to the east of the airport. Communications between ground control, tower control, and the pilot were normal during the ground taxi, takeoff, and climb. Radio and radar communications were lost 6 minutes after takeoff, and no radio distress calls were received from the pilot. The airplane impacted wooded terrain about 3/4 mile to the east of the last recorded radar data point. Groundspeeds and headings were consistent throughout the flight with no abrupt deviations. The airplane impacted the wooded terrain in a nose-down, near-vertical flight attitude. Most of the airplane, including the fuselage, wings, and empennage, were consumed by a postimpact fire. Both engines and propellers separated from the airplane at impact with the ground. Examination of the engines revealed no preaccident failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. Both propellers showed signs of normal operation. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The elevator trim cables stop blocks were secured to the cables and undamaged. They were found against the forward stop meaning the trim tab was at full down travel (elevator leading edge full down) which indicated that the airplane was trimmed full nose up at impact. The airplane’s cabin sustained fragmentation from impact and was consumed by fire; as a result, the autopilot system could not be examined. The investigation was unable to determine why the pilot lost control of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown
- Loss of control in flight during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 28,665 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 8, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 5,990 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental TSIO-520-N (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental TSIO-520-N (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: GGG Longview TX at 6:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KGGG, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGGG 191853Z 31007KT 10SM CLR 21/03 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP171 T02060033
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
16 documents, released by the NTSB on September 7, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statement, David Hartzell | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement, Gary Eberhardt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | E-mail, Pilot to Repair Station | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Safety Memorandum | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Falcon ATC Real Time, Audio and radar Visual | video | View Download |
| 6 | Flight Track Depictions | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | ADS-B Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Record of Examination | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Maintenance Records, N801EC | PDF, 33 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Maintenance Records, Gregg Aircraft Services | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Memorandum of Record, Medical Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Toxicology Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Accident Report Pictures | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 15 | Fueling Slip | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 16 | Elevator Trim Rigging Instructions | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.