Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Apr 22, 2014 (2 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on April 22, 2014 near Niekerkshoop, Northern Cape, South Africa with 2 fatalities. Cause:...
- Date: April 22, 2014
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: Niekerkshoop, Northern Cape, South Africa
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: BAAA: Erroneous airspeed and altitude indications from a pitot tube blocked by dust and sand led the aircraft to exceed its VNO and VNE, causing a catastrophic in flight breakup. The pilot switching off the transponder was considered a contributory factor.
A Piper PA46 Malibu on an IFR flight from Cape Town to Swartwater in Limpopo, carrying a pilot and one passenger, received erroneous altitude indications from its transponder about 16 minutes after takeoff. The pitot static system was most probably blocked by dust or sand, so the airspeed readings were wrong and the aircraft exceeded its maximum structural cruising speed and never exceed speed. The aircraft broke up in flight and the wreckage was scattered along a 1.58 km path in mountainous terrain near Niekerkshoop, killing both occupants.