Two years after a tragic plane crash claimed the lives of well-known Wichita Falls contractor Chad Wilson and his wife, Brandi, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the incident. The crash occurred on September 13, 2022, when the small plane Wilson was piloting went down in a remote area between Kingman and Flagstaff, Arizona, while attempting to navigate through a thunderstorm.
Crash Details and Findings
According to the NTSB’s probable cause report, the crash resulted from Wilson, a student pilot, continuing to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) into weather conditions that required instrument flight rules (IFR). This decision led to disorientation, loss of control, and ultimately the plane exceeding its designed speed limits.
The NTSB report details the final moments of the flight, including the last radio communication between the pilot and air traffic control. In that exchange, the controller informed Wilson of an approaching storm and heavy rain ahead of the plane. Wilson reported he had been able to avoid the clouds up to that point, but they were continuing to grow larger. Shortly after, the plane changed direction, making a left turn to the south, and began to descend rapidly. The controller attempted to contact the pilot for assistance, but there were no further radio responses, and the plane disappeared from radar.
Ground security video later captured an object falling from a cloud layer amidst heavy rain and gusty winds, which was confirmed to be the plane.
Pilot's Experience and Health History
The report also highlighted Wilson’s limited experience in flying under instrument conditions. His logbook indicated just four hours of training in simulated instrument conditions, which may have contributed to his inability to handle the severe weather conditions during the flight.
An instructor who had flown with Wilson in the same aircraft months prior to the crash described the student pilot as impulsive, often flying at high speeds with higher-than-normal power settings. The instructor also noted that Wilson had a tendency to be quick in decision-making.
In addition to concerns over his flight experience, the NTSB also found that Wilson’s medical history could have played a role in the crash. Twelve days before the fatal flight, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued Wilson a final denial letter for medical certification. Wilson had reportedly disclosed a history of alcohol and drug use, as well as ongoing medication for anger and irritability, during his medical examination.
A Community Mourns
The crash remains a heartbreaking tragedy for the Wichita Falls community, where Chad and Brandi Wilson were well-known and deeply respected. The NTSB’s findings provide insight into the factors that led to the crash, but for many, the loss of the Wilsons continues to be felt profoundly.
As more details emerge from the investigation, the NTSB’s report serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training, adherence to flight rules, and the impact of medical certification on aviation safety.
Photo of the plane owned by Chad Wilson, a Piper PA-46-310P, Tail number N43605 (Photo from FlightAware.com).
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