Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Aug 4, 2000 (3 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on August 4, 2000 near Augusta-Daniel Field, Georgia, United States with 3 fatalities....
- Date: August 4, 2000
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Augusta-Daniel Field, Georgia, United States
- Fatalities: 3
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The pilot's improper preflight planning led to takeoff above the weight and balance limits. A short, up-sloping runway and the pilot's elevated glucose level were contributing factors, according to the NTSB.
A Piper Malibu Mirage took off from Augusta-Daniel Field overloaded, with no weight and balance calculation on record. Its climb was too shallow to clear the departure-end fence, and it then struck a utility pole, a bus stop roof and a brick wall and burst into flames. All three occupants were killed.