Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain crash, Jul 9, 2009 (2 killed)
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident on July 9, 2009 near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with 2 fatalities. Cause: Upset and loss of control...
- Date: July 9, 2009
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Upset and loss of control after the aircraft entered the wake turbulence of a heavier aircraft during a visual approach, at too low an altitude to recover. The TSB also noted fatigue and maintenance risks.
A cargo Piper Navajo on a multi-leg VFR flight was following a heavier jet on the approach to Vancouver and turned into its wake at low altitude. The aircraft upset and was unable to recover before it struck an industrial area in Richmond about 3 nm short of the runway. Both crew died and the wreckage burned.