Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Dec 22, 1994 (3 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on December 22, 1994 near Rochester, Minnesota, United States with 3 fatalities. Cause:...
- Date: December 22, 1994
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Rochester, Minnesota, United States
- Fatalities: 3
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Pilot loss of control while climbing in instrument conditions after takeoff, with fog, a low ceiling, limited recent instrument experience and excessive gross weight as factors; the right wing failed in flight.
A Piper Malibu Mirage departed Rochester in instrument conditions and turned toward a heading east of the field while climbing through about 700 feet. The right wing separated in flight, and the aircraft crashed about 2 miles north of the airport. All three occupants were killed; the aircraft was over its maximum gross weight and the pilot had little recent instrument experience.