On December 1, 1990, a Piper PA-46-310P (registration N437OZ) operated by David S Weiss was involved in an aviation accident near Seattle, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE ON AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH UNDER INSTRUMENT METEORLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT STALLING AND ENTER A SPIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a localizer intercept, a Piper PA-46-310P pilot attempted to override the autopilot, heard a stall warning horn, misidentified it as a landing gear horn, and lowered the gear. The aircraft stalled and entered a spin, resulting in wrinkled upper wing skins.
Incident Overview
A pilot flying a Piper PA-46-310P was conducting an instrument approach when an unusual sequence of events occurred. According to the pilot's account, during a localizer intercept, he attempted to override the autopilot. Shortly after, he heard a stall warning horn but misidentified it as the landing gear warning horn. Based on this misidentification, he lowered the landing gear.
Stall and Spin
The aircraft subsequently stalled and entered a spin. The pilot initiated spin recovery procedures and during the attempt broke out of clouds into visual meteorological conditions. He then reentered the clouds and was vectored for a second instrument landing system approach, which was completed successfully.
Damage
The event resulted in structural damage: the upper wing skins on both wings were found to have been wrinkled. No further damage was reported.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 1 Dec 1990 Piper PA-46-310P accident near Seattle, WA?
During a localizer intercept, a Piper PA-46-310P pilot attempted to override the autopilot, heard a stall warning horn, misidentified it as a landing gear horn, and lowered the gear. The aircraft stalled and entered a spin, resulting in wrinkled upper wing skins.
Were there any fatalities in the 1 Dec 1990 Piper PA-46-310P accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Dec 1990 involved a Piper PA-46-310P, registration N437OZ, operated by David S Weiss, at Seattle, WA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE ON AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH UNDER INSTRUMENT METEORLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT STALLING AND ENTER A SPIN.