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2 fatalities

Piper PA-46-310P Crash in Milaca, Minnesota (N9103N)

Milaca, MN, United States

On December 30, 2010, a PIPER PA-46-310P (registration N9103N) operated by TEEMARK CORP was involved in an aviation accident near Milaca, MN. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot did not recover from an unusual attitude while operating in instrument meteorological conditions following a disconnect of the autopilot system for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

On December 30, 2010, a Piper PA-46-310P, N9103N, crashed in Milaca, Minnesota, after the pilot reported an autopilot failure and unusual attitude. The pilot, passenger, and a dog were killed.

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On December 30, 2010, at 0958 central standard time, a Piper PA-46-310P, registration N9103N, collided with terrain in Milaca, Minnesota. The aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) in instrument meteorological conditions, en route from Aitkin Municipal Airport (AIT) to Beaumont Municipal Airport (BMT). The pilot, a 65-year-old private pilot, a passenger, and a dog on board were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed AIT at approximately 0930. The pilot requested and received an IFR clearance from Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center, with initial altitude instructions ranging from 5,000 to 22,000 feet. At 0950:44, radar data indicated the aircraft entered a descending right turn at 16,800 feet, followed by a 360-degree right turn and a 360-degree left turn. The pilot subsequently reported losing the autopilot and being in an unusual attitude. The last radar contact was recorded at 0955, nearly over the accident site.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

TurbulenceConducive to structural icingAutopilot systemEffect on operation
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Dec 2010 PIPER PA-46-310P accident near Milaca, MN?

On December 30, 2010, a Piper PA-46-310P, N9103N, crashed in Milaca, Minnesota, after the pilot reported an autopilot failure and unusual attitude. The pilot, passenger, and a dog were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Dec 2010 PIPER PA-46-310P accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Dec 2010 involved a PIPER PA-46-310P, registration N9103N, operated by TEEMARK CORP, at Milaca, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot did not recover from an unusual attitude while operating in instrument meteorological conditions following a disconnect of the autopilot system for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of recent flight experience and impairment due to diphenhydramine.

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