Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mira... crash, Jun 13, 2014 (1 killed)
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident on June 13, 2014 near White Plains-Westchester County, New York, United States with 1...
- Date: June 13, 2014
- Aircraft: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
- Location: White Plains-Westchester County, New York, United States
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: NTSB: The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), with his self induced pressure to depart in low ceiling and low visibility conditions as a contributing factor.
A Piper PA46 500TP Meridian with the pilot Richard Rockefeller as sole occupant took off from Westchester County Airport in White Plains in fog and a low overcast with about 1/4 mile visibility. The aircraft failed to climb after takeoff, struck trees near the airport at high speed, and the pilot was killed. The NTSB (docket ERA14FA288) attributed the accident to the pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate due to spatial disorientation, with self induced pressure to depart as a contributing factor.