Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Mar 17, 1991 (4 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on March 17, 1991 near Bronson, Florida, United States with 4 fatalities. Cause: The pilot...
- Date: March 17, 1991
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Bronson, Florida, United States
- Fatalities: 4
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The pilot did not activate pitot heat before climbing into icing IMC, then responded improperly to erroneous airspeed indications caused by pitot icing; lack of recent IMC experience contributed.
A Malibu on an IFR climb through icing conditions near a convective area reported a problem and then fell silent. The aircraft broke up in flight and wreckage was spread over a wide area. NTSB found overstress failure of the outboard wing and tail, and all four aboard died.