Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Dec 7, 2009 (2 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on December 7, 2009 near Mendoza, Texas, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: The...
- Date: December 7, 2009
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Mendoza, Texas, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The pilot's spatial disorientation, leading to loss of control, aggravated by the rapid and large heading changes and descent clearance from ATC. Diphenhydramine may have contributed.
A Piper Malibu Meridian on an IFR flight from Rockport to Austin was vectored by approach control above the clouds with rapid heading changes and a descent clearance. It entered cloud during a descending right turn, the bank increased and the aircraft struck the ground. The pilot and a passenger were fatally injured.