Zone

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Durant

Date & Time: Aug 21, 2023 at 1048 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3589X
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Tulsa
MSN:
31-8052138
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Tulsa-Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. (Riverside) Airport in the morning on an on-demand special mission. After a pass over Sand Springs, west of Tulsa, the airplane continued to the south then the pilot completed three circuits over McAlester before continuing to the southwest. In unclear circumstances, the airplane caught fire in flight and the pilot diverted to Durant-Eaker Field. After landing on runway 17, the pilot stopped the airplane and was able to evacuate without injuries. The airplane was totally destroyed by fire.