Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Carslbad - Long Beach

MSN:

46-8408076

YOM:

1984

Location:

Long Beach

California

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4782

Captain / Total hours on type:

237.00

Circumstances:

During the return flight to San Jose and subsequent descent and approach to the Long Beach Airport, the two pilots experienced, in succession, a failure of the turbocharger system, loss of an alternator, loss of engine oil pressure, an unsafe landing gear indication, and an in-flight fire followed by the loss of engine power during a night time circling approach to an unfamiliar airport in visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft crashed onto the southbound lanes of the San Diego freeway at Long Beach after making a flyby of the tower to confirm the landing gear position. The investigation revealed an improperly installed turbocharger, a cracked manifold exhaust, a burned main power lead, a separated cylinder, and a low fluid level in the hydraulic reservoir. Two years prior to this accident, the instructor pilot made an unintentional gear up landing in another aircraft. One year prior to this accident the FAA revoked the mechanic's inspection authorization.

Probable cause:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Pilot's failure to land the aircraft after experiencing the pilot's Faulty decision was his previous experience with a gear up landing a Couple of years before.
Findings
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. Exhaust system, turbocharger - failure, partial
2. (f) exhaust system, turbocharger - disengaged
3. (f) engine installation, mounting bolt - separation
4. (c) maintenance, installation - improper - company maintenance personnel
5. (f) maintenance, inspection - poor - company maintenance personnel
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
6. (f) electrical system, electric wiring - burned
7. Electrical system, alternator - disabled
8. (c) hydraulic system, accumulator - low level
9. Landing gear, gear indicating system - false indication
10. (c) low pass - intentional - pilot in command (cfi)
11. (f) anxiety/apprehension - pilot in command (cfi)
----------
Occurrence #3: fire
Phase of operation: go-around (vfr)
Findings
12. (c) engine assembly, cylinder - fatigue
13. Engine assembly, cylinder - separation
14. Go-around - performed - pilot in command (cfi)
15. (f) judgment - poor - pilot in command (cfi)
----------
Occurrence #4: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
16. (f) fluid, oil - starvation
----------
Occurrence #5: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
17. Light condition - night
18. (c) stall/mush - encountered - pilot in command (cfi)

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Guaymas

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Marcel Georgi

Registration:

N4367K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

MSN:

46-8408071

YOM:

1984

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on landing for unknown reasons. Both occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in West Mifflin: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1986 at 2247 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J. Meade Williamson

Registration:

N27EE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Pittsburgh – Philadelphia

MSN:

46-8608036

YOM:

1986

Location:

West Mifflin

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1166

Captain / Total hours on type:

127.00

Aircraft flight hours:

349

Circumstances:

At 2232 edt, the aircraft was climbing to 15,000 feet when the pilot reported a low oil pressure light. ATC advised Jimmy Stewart Field is about eleven thirty and 15 miles. After the pilot asked, 'is that a Tower Field?', ATC advised he did not know, Westmoreland County is at two o'clock and about 15 miles, turn right 180°, descend and maintain 4,000 feet. At 2233 edt, ATC said that they believe Westmoreland County Tower is closed down. The pilot said that he was thinking of where he should go and ATC advised Pittsburgh's 35 miles away if you can make that. At 2234:35 edt, the aircraft was returning to Pittsburgh when the pilot reported zero oil pressure and an oil light. At 2237:27 edt, the pilot reported an emergency. Flight was cleared to Allegheny County Airport and advised Monroeville Airport 230 heading and 5 miles. The aircraft crashed at 2247 edt. The investigation showed a loose flange nut on left turbocharger feed line finger tight. Test produced a steady leak. At site oil covered bottom of fuselage and empennage. Two passengers were killed while two other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system, oil tubing - loose
2. (c) maintenance - inadequate - other maintenance personnel
3. (c) fluid, oil - exhaustion
4. (c) engine assembly - failure, partial
5. (f) emergency procedure - delayed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
6. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Boulder: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1986 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

High Winds

Registration:

N4346L

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Aerial photography

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Boulder - Boulder

MSN:

46-8408038

YOM:

1984

Location:

Boulder

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1255

Captain / Total hours on type:

83.00

Aircraft flight hours:

382

Circumstances:

The purpose of the flight for both aircraft was an aerial photo mission. N5113S was used as the camera platform. The pilots of N5113S and N4346L discussed prior to takeoff the procedures of the flight. Both aircraft departed and flew a course to position the airplanes on a southerly heading. N5113S was to the east and slightly above and ahead of N4346L. The photographer shot one roll of film and reloaded. He was ready to begin shooting when N4346L began to close in on N5113S. The pilot of N5113S felt two 'bumps' as N4346L closed, and did not see the aircraft pass under. The pilot of N5113S maneuvered his aircraft to determine controllability and saw N4346L spiralling to the ground. Examination of N4346L revealed the vertical stab and rudder had separated in-flight. There were numerous paint smears found on the right side on N5113S. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: midair collision
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command
3. (c) distance - misjudged - pilot in command
4. (c) clearance - not maintained - pilot in command
5. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
6. Vertical stabilizer surface - separation
7. Flight control, rudder - separation
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
8. Object - vehicle
9. Object - none suitable

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Boyne Falls: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1986 at 1643 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Richard H. Turner

Registration:

N43769

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Boyne Falls-Boyne Mountain

Schedule:

Detroit – Boyne Falls

MSN:

46-8508007

YOM:

1985

Location:

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1168

Circumstances:

After the pilot was cleared for an RNAV-B approach, the aircraft crashed on hilly terrain approximately 3 miles southeast of the airport at an elevation of 750 feet msl. Impact occurred after the aircraft had turned to the south-southeast and was descending. Minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach was 1,680 feet. No preimpact mechanical problems were found. Approximately 4 hours before takeoff, FSS personnel provided a weather briefing. There was no weather reporting station at the destination, but the area forecast was for marginal VMC with isolated visibilities of 3 to 5 miles in light snow showers. Pellston (approximately 25 miles away) was forecast for a chance of 1,200 feet overcast and 3 miles visibility with light snow showers, but this info was not given to the pilot. Later, when the pilot filed an IFR flight plan, he did not update his weather briefing. While en route, he checked the Pellston and Traverse City weather and was advised they had indefinite or obscured ceilings of 1,500 feet or less with gusty winds and light snow squalls. According to witnesses, there were snow showers or squalls in the accident area with 1/4 to 3/4 miles visibility. The missed approach procedure called for: right climbing turn to 3,000 feet, proceed to the IAF (8 miles south of airport) and hold. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) preflight briefing service - inadequate - atc personnel (fss)
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (f) weather condition - snow
5. (f) weather condition - high wind
6. (f) weather condition - gusts
7. (f) weather condition - obscuration
8. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
9. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
10. (c) minimum descent altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
11. (c) descent - not corrected - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu off Evanston

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1985 at 0930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Plane Masters

Registration:

N4380A

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

DuPage – Troy

MSN:

46-8508016

YOM:

1985

Location:

Evanston

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1890

Captain / Total hours on type:

16.00

Aircraft flight hours:

478

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on climbout on an IFR flight plan in VMC conditions when the engine failed. A restart was attempted and the engine ran for a minute or less. Subsequent attempts were unsuccessful. The aircraft was over Lake Michigan and had insufficient altitude to reach the shoreline. A successful water landing was made and the occupants were picked up by the Coast Guard unharmed. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft had fractured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) engine assembly, crankshaft - fatigue
2. (c) engine assembly, crankshaft - failure, total
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Vero Beach

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1984 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4371Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Vero Beach - Vero Beach

MSN:

46-8408082

YOM:

1984

Location:

Vero Beach

Florida

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2694

Captain / Total hours on type:

137.00

Aircraft flight hours:

Circumstances:

On post-production test flight, pilot noted symptoms of uncommanded lean mixture and turned to return for landing. En route to airport, engine lost power completely. On base leg for forced landing (off airport) fire broke out in engine area and burned through hydraulic line causing gear to extend. Due to increased glide angle, planned flight path would not clear obstruction (Draw Bridge). When the pilot maneuvered to avoid the obstacle, the aircraft stalled, mushed and collided with a boat dock. Investigation revealed a loose fuel line fitting. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) fuel system, line fitting - loose
2. (c) maintenance, installation - improper - production/design personnel
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #4: fire
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
3. (c) fuel system, line fitting - leak
4. Fluid, fuel - fire
----------
Occurrence #5: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
5. (f) landing gear, normal retraction/extension assembly - burned
6. (f) landing gear - deployed inadvertently
7. Proper descent rate - not possible - pilot in command
8. (f) terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
9. (f) maneuver - attempted - pilot in command
10. (f) terrain condition - none suitable
11. Stall/mush - inadvertent

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Richmond: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1984 at 0745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Earl H. Nonow

Registration:

N4323G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Westerly - Keene

MSN:

46-8408020

YOM:

1984

Location:

Richmond

New Hampshire

Country:

Region: