Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Aug 31, 2003 (2 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on August 31, 2003 near Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States with 2 fatalities....
- Date: August 31, 2003
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control during a VFR pattern for a precautionary landing, combined with an inadequate preflight inspection that left the left inboard fuel cap unsecured.
A Piper Malibu JetProp DLX, registered N70DL, was returning to Hilton Head for a precautionary landing when it turned steeply left, pitched up and crashed into trees near the runway. Both occupants were killed. The left inboard fuel cap had been left off, and it was later found in the grass beside the runway.