Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Feb 20, 2001 (1 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on February 20, 2001 near Mac Gillivray, California, United States with 1 fatality. Cause:...
- Date: February 20, 2001
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Mac Gillivray, California, United States
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Loss of control during the night takeoff climb, leading to collision with terrain. The night lighting conditions were a contributing factor.
A Piper Malibu departed a private unlit airstrip in darkness after a brief stop. Witnesses heard the engine go quiet, and the aircraft struck a vineyard nose down. The pilot was killed and the aircraft was destroyed. Maintenance records showed a list of uncorrected defects, though none were linked to the accident.