What happened
On April 7, 2017, a Piper PA-46-310P, registration N123SB, was on an instrument flight rules flight from Van Nuys, California, to Mahlon Sweet Field Airport (EUG) in Eugene, Oregon. During the approach to the airport, the pilot reported encountering heavy precipitation and requested a descent to 2,000 feet mean sea level.
Data from an onboard flight recorder indicated that while the aircraft was being vectored for the approach, it experienced significant changes in attitude and airspeed. At 10:47:49, the aircraft was in a left bank of 42 degrees with a 13.6-degree nose-up pitch. Shortly after, the aircraft entered a steep left bank of 95 degrees with a 35-degree nose-down pitch. The aircraft then entered a right roll, reaching a bank angle of 173 degrees and a 66-degree nose-down pitch. At 10:48:12, the groundspeed dropped to 0 knots, indicating impact.
The crash resulted in 4 fatal injuries, involving the pilot and three passengers. Witnesses near the site reported seeing the aircraft fly overhead before it entered a near-vertical nose dive and disappeared behind a tree line.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the main components—including the engine, fuselage, wings, and empennage—at the accident site. The impact was characterized by significant structural damage, including a displaced cabin area and shattered windows. The propeller was found with one blade bent backward 90 degrees, consistent with ground contact. No evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction was found in the airframe or engine.
Meteorological analysis revealed that the area was experiencing unstable conditions, including heavy precipitation, moderate turbulence, and potential low-level wind shear. A patch of flattened tall grass located 450 feet from the site suggested winds exceeding 35 knots, leading the National Weather Service to conclude that a downburst or microburst could not be ruled out.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered an intense downdraft or downburst during the approach, which caused a sudden change in wind velocity.
- The downburst likely exceeded the aircraft's performance capabilities, leading to a loss of control at a low altitude.
- The air traffic controller failed to solicit or disseminate pilot reports (PIREPs) regarding wind shear and turbulence, which would have provided the pilot with more accurate weather information for the approach.