A small plane carrying pickleball players to a tournament in Texas broke apart in midair before crashing, according to a preliminary report released Thursday.
Crash Details
The Cessna 310 went down May 1 in a wooded area near Wimberley, Texas, killing all three people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board said the aircraft experienced an in-flight breakup, with wreckage scattered over a wide area.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and seeing pieces of the plane falling from the sky. The victims were identified as members of a pickleball club traveling to a regional tournament.
Investigation Ongoing
Investigators are examining the wreckage for signs of structural failure or mechanical issues. The NTSB noted that the plane had undergone recent maintenance, but it is too early to determine a cause.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, with tournaments drawing players from across the country. The crash has shocked the close-knit pickleball community.
