1990-12-01: Piper PA-46-310P — David S Weiss — Seattle, WA

Casualties unknown • Seattle, WA, US

Probable cause

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-46-310P ATTEMPTED TO OVERRIDE HIS AUTOPILOT DURING A LOCALIZER INTERCEPT. HE HEARD THE STALL WARNING HORN, MISIDENTFYING IT AS THE LANDING GEAR HORN. HE STATED THAT HE THEN LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN. DURING HIS SPIN RECOVERY ATTEMPT, HE BROKE OUT INTO VISUAL CONDITIONS. HE REENTERED THE CLOUDS AND WAS VECTORED FOR A SECOND ILS APPROACH, WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL. THE UPPER WING SKINS ON BOTH WINGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN WRINKLED DURING THE EVENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-12-01 Piper PA-46-310P accident near Seattle, WA?

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-46-310P ATTEMPTED TO OVERRIDE HIS AUTOPILOT DURING A LOCALIZER INTERCEPT. HE HEARD THE STALL WARNING HORN, MISIDENTFYING IT AS THE LANDING GEAR HORN. HE STATED THAT HE THEN LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN. DURING HIS SPIN RECOVERY ATTEMPT, HE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-12-01 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.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24822. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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