A Rhode Island pilot radioed air traffic control that he planned to turn back to the Massachusetts airport he had just departed from — and said he “should be okay” — shortly before his plane crashed on a highway in October, killing him and his wife.
In a preliminary report released in late November, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) detailed the Oct. 13 crash of a Socata TBM 700 on Interstate 195 near Exit 22 in Dartmouth, Mass. The accident claimed the lives of Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife, Agatha Perkins, 66.
According to the report, Thomas was flying the aircraft and Agatha was the only passenger. The plane had taken off from New Bedford Regional Airport in New Bedford, Mass., that morning and was headed to Kenosha, Wisc., when the pilot radioed shortly after departure that he intended to return to New Bedford.
The controller instructed him to enter a left downwind for the runway, and Thomas acknowledged the instruction. He also said he did not require assistance on landing, and the runway was cleared for his return.
“The controller next asked the pilot whether he could perform an approach to the airport and reported that the ceilings were around 1,000 ft, or if he would need radar vectors,” the NTSB report stated. “The pilot responded that he would descend and that he ‘should be okay.’ ”
About a minute later, the controller issued a low altitude alert and provided an updated altimeter setting, which the pilot again confirmed. Shortly afterward, the pilot made an unintelligible exclamation, and no further communications were received.
Investigators said the crash site was roughly 3.6 nautical miles from New Bedford Regional Airport. The aircraft clipped the tops of trees about 50 feet above the ground before continuing forward.
“The wreckage path continued through a wooded area, across a highway off ramp, across a portion of Interstate 195 West, and the fuselage came to rest in the median between Interstate 195 West and Interstate 195 East,” the report noted.
During the impact, the plane hit a vehicle traveling westbound on I-195. The driver of the car sustained minor injuries, according to the NTSB.
The preliminary findings said the wings were heavily damaged, with parts of them destroyed by a post-crash fire. The rudder was also damaged, and the fuel tanks in the wings were ruptured. The fuselage — the final and most distant piece of wreckage along the debris path — was largely intact.
“The main cabin door was found open when the investigators arrived; however, a witness video that was taken after the accident showed that the cabin door was closed immediately after the accident,” the NTSB added. “Both forward seats had impact-separated from their installation points and remained within the cabin area.”
The agency did not name the victims in its report and said the wreckage has been retained for further examination. No other passengers were on board.
Citing Federal Aviation Administration records, The Boston Globe reported that Thomas Perkins, of Middletown, R.I., held a valid pilot’s license.
According to his obituary, Thomas was a partner at Kirby Perkins Construction, a firm that included his brother-in-law, and he also volunteered as a pilot for Angel Flight Northeast, which provides free air transportation to patients needing medical care. He and Agatha are survived by their two children and three grandchildren.
“Tom was passionate about giving back and was well regarded for his generosity and charitable involvement professionally and personally,” his obituary read. “Tom and Aggie’s Perkins Family Fund supported many of the island’s charitable organizations and causes close to their hearts. Tom loved his country and was profoundly patriotic.”
“Tom will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty, steadfast spirit, and deep commitment to his family, friends, and community,” the remembrance added.
A separate obituary for Agatha, who enjoyed staying active and participating in athletic pursuits, said she would be remembered for her “infectious spirit, generous heart, sense of adventure, and the joy she brought to every day.”
