Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Feb 21, 2010 (2 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on February 21, 2010 near Belleville, Illinois, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause:...
- Date: February 21, 2010
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Belleville, Illinois, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control during a night instrument approach in challenging visibility. No mechanical malfunction was found.
A Piper PA-46 Malibu on a private flight from Vero Beach flew two instrument approaches to Saint Louis Downtown at night. After being advised twice that it was right of course and receiving a low altitude alert, it climbed and turned, then impacted a building about 0.4 nautical miles from the outer marker. The aircraft and building were largely consumed by a post-impact fire, and both occupants were killed.