Pilatus PC-12 crash, Jun 7, 2012 (6 killed), Lake Wales
Pilatus PC-12 accident on June 7, 2012 near Lake Wales, Florida, United States with 6 fatalities. Cause: The pilot failed to maintain control after the...
- Date: June 7, 2012
- Aircraft: Pilatus PC-12
- Location: Lake Wales, Florida, United States
- Fatalities: 6
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The pilot failed to maintain control after the autopilot disconnected while climbing in instrument conditions. His limited experience in high-performance turboprops and in instrument flight was a contributing factor. The reason for the autopilot disconnect could not be determined.
The Pilatus PC-12 on a personal IFR flight from Fort Pierce to Kansas lost control after its autopilot disconnected while climbing in icing and convective weather. The airplane entered a steep descent and broke up in flight near Lake Wales. The pilot and five passengers were killed.