Full Breakdown
Texas Plane Crash Claims Five Pickleball Players in Hill Country
5/4/2026, 1:39:58 AM
Fatal Crash in Wimberley: Core Facts
On the night of May 1, 2026, a twin-engine Cessna 421C went down in a wooded area on the edge of a neighborhood northwest of Wimberley, Texas. Emergency crews arrived at ? 11 p.m. local time and pronounced the pilot and four passengers dead. All five occupants were members of the Amarillo Pickleball Club.
Flight Background and Club Context
The aircraft departed from Amarillo (reported as River Falls Airport in some filings) bound for New Braunfels National Airport, where the club’s members were scheduled to compete in a Pro Pickleball Association tournament at the Cranky Pickle facility. The club’s Facebook post described the victims as part of its “pickleball family” and announced plans to support their families.
Victims and Their Roles
- Justin “Glen” Appling (37) – pilot; co-owner of a manufactured-home dealership.
- Hayden Dillard (39) – dealer co-owner; mother of two.
- Seren Wilson (19) – former UIL team-tennis state champion; high-school alumna.
- Brooke Skypala (45) – mental-health counselor with a master’s degree; married with children.
- Stacy Hedrick (51) – former tennis player nicknamed “Rippy.”
All five were regular participants in regional pickleball events and were traveling together.
Timeline of the Flight and Crash
- 9:11 p.m.: Plane takes off from Amarillo.
- ? 9:13 p.m.: Second Cessna departs on the same route.
- ? 11:00–11:25 p.m.: Air-traffic control audio records the troubled plane’s erratic movement and loss of radar track; its emergency locator transmits a distress signal.
- ? 11:05 p.m.: Crash site reported; first responders dispatched.
- Shortly after impact: Plane catches fire; wreckage documented.
- Later that night: Second aircraft lands safely in New Braunfels.
Data and Statistics
- Aircraft: Cessna 421C, six-seat capacity.
- Occupants: 5 (1 pilot, 4 passengers).
- Ages of victims: 19–51 years.
- Distance flown: ? 200 mi (Amarillo -> Wimberley).
- Weather: Mostly cloudy; thunderstorm reported two hours post-crash.
Official Statements and Responses
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said preliminary information shows the aircraft was traveling at a high rate of speed and found “no indication of a mid-air collision.” Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Billy Ray noted the fire indicated “pretty severe damage.” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it is leading the investigation, with the FAA providing assistance. The Amarillo Pickleball Club expressed grief and pledged meals for the victims’ families.
On-the-Ground Reports
Resident Stacey Rohr reported feeling her home “vibrate” and seeing flames “like the back of my house was all in flames.” Cecil Keith heard a “pow, pow, pow” sound as the plane passed overhead, describing it as “something definitely wrong.”
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
- Crash time varies between 11:00 p.m., 11:05 p.m., 11:20 p.m., and 11:25 p.m. across sources.
- Departure airport is listed as “Amarillo” in most reports, but one source specifies “River Falls Airport.”
- Destination is described as New Braunfels National Airport in most accounts; a single outlet mentioned “Austin.”
Why It Matters
The loss eliminates five active members of a tightly knit sports community, prompting the cancellation of the scheduled tournament and highlighting safety concerns for small-aircraft travel to regional events. Local authorities and the NTSB’s findings may affect future regulations for private flights in the Texas Hill Country.
Verbatim Quotes
- “preliminary information indicates the aircraft was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of impact.” — Ruben Becerra, Hays County Judge
- “The plane did catch fire. That would indicate some pretty severe damage to the plane.” — Billy Ray, Texas Department of Public Safety
- “We’re very heavy-hearted, heartbroken from this,” — Martin Robertson, head pro, Cranky Pickle
- “It was so close I felt like it was the back of my place up in flames.” — Stacey Rohr, local resident
- “I haven't heard anything from him.” — Pilot of the second aircraft (ATC audio)
What’s Next
The NTSB will complete a preliminary incident report within the next business day, followed by a full investigation and a public safety advisory. The FAA and NTSB will coordinate on any recommended changes to flight-operation procedures for small aircraft in the region. The Amarillo Pickleball Club continues to organize support for the victims’ families while awaiting investigative results.
