Here's the preliminary report from the ntsb website.
NTSB Identification:
DFW08FA031
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, November 15, 2007 in Ranger, TX
Aircraft: Piper PA-28R-200, registration: N55307
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On November 15, 2007, at approximately 1500 central standard time (CST), a single-engine Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N55207, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following an in-flight break up near Ranger, Texas. The flight instructor, student pilot, and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Skymates Incorporated of Arlington, Texas. The 132-nautical mile cross country flight departed Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY) near Arlington, Texas, at approximately 1348 and was destined for the Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) near Abilene, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Two witnesses reported observing the mishap. One individual, located approximately 2 miles north of the accident site, was standing by his truck when he heard when he described as three "engine stalls" with several seconds spacing. The engine went silent after the third engine "stall" which was followed by an unusual sound. The sound drew his attention to the airplane and through binoculars he was able to observe the airplane "wobbling" in a slight nose down attitude with a slow clockwise rotation.
Another witness, located approximately 1 mile south of the accident site, was working in his barn when we heard unusual engine noises as if the airplane was "whirling sounds" as if the aircraft was "circling" or "spinning." These sounds were followed by a sound similar to a "bang." When we walked out from his barn, to the north he saw an airplane and pieces of aircraft falling to the ground.
There were no reported witnesses who observed the airplane prior to the in-flight break up. A request was made to the FAA for radar and ATC transcripts.
On site documentation of the wreckage was conducted by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, The New Piper Aircraft Company, and Lycoming Engines. Following the on-site examination the wreckage was recovered to Air Salvage of Dallas, near Lancaster, Texas, for further examination.
At 1453, an automated weather station located at Mineral Wells, Texas, approximately 34 miles northeast from the accident site, reported winds from 350 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, skies clear, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 12 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 30.40 inches of Mercury.
