Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Dec 30, 2010 (2 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on December 30, 2010 near Milaca, Minnesota, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: The...
- Date: December 30, 2010
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Milaca, Minnesota, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The pilot did not recover from an unusual attitude in instrument conditions after an autopilot disconnect of undetermined origin. His limited recent flight experience and impairment from diphenhydramine contributed.
A 1986 Piper Malibu on a cross-country flight from Aitkin toward Beaumont lost its autopilot in cloud at about 16,800 feet and entered an unusual attitude. The pilot radioed that he was trying to recover while the aircraft descended, and it struck the ground near Milaca, killing both occupants.