Five killed in Texas plane crash as pickleball trip turns fatal

A small aircraft carrying members of the Amarillo Pickleball Club crashed into a wooded area in Texas Hill Country late on May 2, killing all five people on board and sending shockwaves through the close-knit sporting community.

The twin-engine Cessna 421C went down around 11 pm near Wimberley, approximately 64 km southwest of Austin, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“The pilot and four passengers on board were pronounced deceased on scene,” Sgt. Billy Ray said, confirming there were no survivors.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. However, the Amarillo-based club confirmed the passengers were its members travelling to a pickleball tournament in New Braunfels.

Flight data showed the aircraft had taken off from Amarillo and was bound for New Braunfels National Airport. Images from the crash site revealed the plane completely destroyed amid dense trees.

Federal agencies are now leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.

Residents near the site described a sudden and violent impact. Stacey Rohr, who lives nearby, said she felt her home shake as the aircraft went down.

“It was so close I felt like it was the back of my place up in flames,” she said, recalling the moment she called for help.

The victims were headed to a tournament at The Cranky Pickle, a popular venue roughly 48 km northeast of San Antonio. Organizers cancelled the event scheduled for 02 May 2026 and plan to hold a prayer in memory of those killed before play resumes.

“We’re very heavy-hearted, heartbroken,” said head pro Martin Robertson. “The pickleball community is very tight-knit. Everybody knows everybody.”

Dan Dyer, president of the Amarillo Pickleball Club, said he had played alongside four of the victims and described them as competitive and passionate players.

“I’ve handed them medals. They were excellent players. They were out to win games,” he said, underscoring how players frequently travel long distances for tournaments.

Air traffic control audio indicated concern moments before the crash, with one controller noting the aircraft had begun moving erratically before disappearing from radar. A distress signal was also detected from the plane’s emergency locator device, prompting an immediate 911 call.

A second aircraft travelling from Amarillo to the same event landed safely in New Braunfels, authorities confirmed.

Weather conditions at the time were mostly cloudy, with a thunderstorm reported in the region roughly two hours later, according to the National Weather Service.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over the Texas Hill Country, where both Wimberley—home to about 3,000 residents—and New Braunfels, with a population of over 1.16 lakh, are known as popular tourist destinations.