A Cessna 421C aircraft carrying five members of the Amarillo Pickleball Club crashed late Thursday night in the Texas Hill Country, killing all individuals aboard. The group was en route to a tournament in New Braunfels.
The victims have been identified as Seren Wilson, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick, Glen Appling, and Hayden Dillard. Authorities confirmed the five died at the scene of the crash, which occurred around 11 p.m. in Wimberley, a location approximately 40 miles southwest of Austin.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash. Initial reports indicate no signs of a mid-air collision. Emergency crews remained at the site for extensive recovery efforts that extended into Friday morning.
A second plane carrying other club members was also traveling to the tournament and reportedly landed safely in New Braunfels. The tournament scheduled for Friday was canceled, with plans to hold a memorial.
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Community Impact
The Amarillo Pickleball Club, described as a "tight-knit" community, released a statement identifying the deceased. Dan Dyer, the club's president, noted that he had played many games with four of the five victims, emphasizing the close relationships within the group. The crash has sent ripples through the local sports community, with some describing the situation as tragic and affecting a group "everybody knows everybody."
