Maintenance records revealed the airplane had just undergone an avionics upgrade, which included removal of the vacuum system and installation of electronic flight instruments. During engine disassembly, a vacuum pump cover was found installed to the vacuum pump drive pad without a gasket. The left engine crankcase half was fractured inboard of the #4 cylinder mounting pad. A post-crash fire consumed much of the wreckage.Įxamination revealed catastrophic failures of three of its four connecting rods. The airplane impacted a tree and a powerline before coming to rest. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane but they heard no engine sound. About 30 seconds later, the pilot reported loss of engine power, that he was unable to make it back to the departure airport and that he had identified an off-field landing area. He wanted to return to the departure airport and was not declaring an emergency. Shortly after departure, the pilot reported to ATC that he was having problems with cockpit instrumentation resulting in difficulty maintaining assigned headings. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed at about 1222 Eastern time as the pilot attempted an off-airport landing after reporting total engine failure. ![]() The left flap and the rudder were not located. The debris field was about two miles long, and consisted of sections of both wings and the empennage. Near the end of the track data, the airplane made a 270-degree left turn, followed by a steep descending right turn. The airplane departed Albuquerque, N.M., and flew west for about an hour and 50 minutes before the flight track data ended near an area of heavy precipitation and moderate turbulence. The student pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Piper PA-46-310P MalibuĪt about 1100 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it apparently broke up in flight in an area of reported turbulence. The airplane then impacted Lake Hartwell. The last track data was observed at 1237, as the airplane descended through 1825 feet MSL, about 1165 feet AGL. About 30 seconds later, it began two right turns and descended to 1900 feet, briefly climbed to 2750 feet MSL and then began a left turn. The controller instructed the pilot to stop his turn and maintain 3000 feet, but no further communications were received from the pilot.Īt 1235, tracking data show the airplane at 3975 feet MSL. ![]() The pilot was cleared for the approach but did not intercept the localizer. ![]() The controller then issued vectors for an ILS approach. Soon, the pilot reported trouble with his gyros. Instrument conditions prevailed.Īfter a one-hour and 50-minute flight from southwest Florida, ATC cleared the pilot for an RNAV approach, which ended with a missed approach. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1237 Eastern time when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for an instrument approach.
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