San Angelo-Based Airplane Crashes at Breckenridge Airport

BRECKINRIDGE, TX — A San Angelo-based business turbojet crashed in Breckenridge Monday afternoon. According to the Breckenridge Texan, a Socata TBM 700 plowed into a field next to the runway there and caught fire. Quoting unofficial reports, The Texan said the pilot of the plane reported engine trouble before landing. When descending on approach, the TBM clipped trees near the perimeter fence of the airport.

The plane that carries seven passengers and a pilot burst into flames after coming to a stop upright, starting a small grass fire. The two occupants onboard the plane escaped via an emergency exit. The primary door to the plane was stuck, according to the Texan.

Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured.

The plane took off from San Angelo Mathis Field at 12:10 p.m. It was a 33-minute direct flight to Breckenridge, according to the flight tracker at Flight Aware. The pilot flew a wide right downwind, base and final to runway 17 at Stephens County Airport in Breckenridge upon arrival into the uncontrolled airfield’s traffic pattern. Flight Aware reported the flight ended at 12:43 p.m.

DPS was the initial investigation agency. We expect the National Transportation Safety Board to take over the investigation of the crash.

The plane, registered with the FAA as N850NK, was a 2007 Socata TBM 700. The complex single-engine airplane has an 850 horsepower turboprop engine and was registered to a San Angelo-based limited liability company, Mt. Margaret, LLC, since July 2019.

Gregory Gravelle was the pilot of the plane, but this was not released to the news media, however.

Used, a 2007 Socata TBM 700 like this one on the airplane market cost approximately $1.7 million depending on its condition and avionics.