WIMBERLEY, TX — A tight-knit sports community is in mourning after a small plane carrying five members of an Amarillo pickleball club crashed into a wooded area in the Texas Hill Country late Thursday night, leaving no survivors.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that the twin-engine Cessna 421C went down around 11:00 PM near Wimberley, approximately 40 miles southwest of Austin. Sgt. Billy Ray reported that the pilot and all four passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Bound for a Tournament
The victims were identified by the Amarillo Pickleball Club as members traveling to compete in a weekend tournament at The Cranky Pickle in New Braunfels.
“We’re very heavy-hearted, heartbroken from this,” said Martin Robertson, head pro at the venue. “The pickleball community is very tight-knit. Everybody knows everybody.” The tournament was canceled on Friday as organizers and players processed the loss.
“I Felt Everything Vibrate”
Local residents in Wimberley described a terrifying scene as the aircraft descended. Stacey Rohr, who lives near the crash site, told reporters she was in bed when the impact occurred.
“I felt everything vibrate,” Rohr said. “It was so close I felt like it was the back of my place up in flames.”
Aerial footage from the site shows the aircraft completely destroyed in a dense, wooded area. Federal authorities, including the FAA and NTSB, have taken over the lead in the investigation to determine what caused the fatal descent.
Chilling Final Moments on Air Traffic Control
The flight had originated in Amarillo and was headed to New Braunfels National Airport. A second plane carrying other club members was flying the same route and landed safely, but air traffic control (ATC) audio captured the moment the situation turned dire for the Cessna.
- Controller: “He started to move erratically and now his track has disappeared from the scope.”
- Pilot (Second Plane): “I haven’t heard anything from him.”
At least one other pilot in the area reported hearing the troubled plane’s emergency locator transmitter (ELT) emitting a distress signal shortly before it vanished from radar.
Weather and Investigation
While the exact cause remains unknown, the National Weather Service noted that it was mostly cloudy in the area at the time of the crash, with thunderstorms moving through the region just two hours later. Investigators will be looking into mechanical issues, weather conditions, and pilot communication in the coming weeks.
Dan Dyer, president of the Amarillo Pickleball Club, remembered the victims as “excellent players” who truly loved the sport. “Some people get the bug… once they do, they’ll travel for a tournament,” he said.
The community is coming together to honor the fallen players with a prayer ceremony scheduled for Saturday morning in New Braunfels.
Do you know someone in the Texas pickleball community? Share your tributes and memories in the comments below as we honor those lost in this tragedy.
