Piper PA-46-500TP accident near Wellsville, MO

On June 28, 2007, a Piper PA-46-500TP (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wellsville, MO. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

June 28, 2007

Place

Wellsville, MO

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-500TP · Airplane

Injuries

3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

39.124°N, 91.578°W

NTSB ID

20070705X00878

Official records · CHI07FA183

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• ATC 3 - Kansas City ARTCC Accident Package: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Factual Report of Group Chairman: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - ZKC Memo on Weather Issuance: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Pilot's Weather Briefing Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC Identified Cases with Weather Involvement: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 28, 2007, about 0815 central daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N477MD, was destroyed on impact with terrain following an in-flight breakup near Wellsville, Missouri. The personal flight was operating under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological surface conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was on file and was activated. The pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Spirit of St Louis Airport, near Chesterfield, Missouri, about 0750, and was destined for the Buffalo Municipal Airport, near Buffalo, Minnesota. About 0711, a person representing N477MD contacted Kankakee Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) to file an IFR flight plan and obtain an abbreviated weather update. During the abbreviated weather update, the AFSS briefer advised the pilot that there was heavy rain and thunderstorm activity in Missouri along the aircraft's planned route of flight. The pilot stated that he had onboard radar for weather avoidance. About 0750, N477MD departed SUS, contacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controller (ATC) on the St. Louis (Gateway) Departure frequency about 0752, and was initially cleared to climb to 4,000 feet. The Gateway controller advised of light to moderate precipitation three miles ahead of the aircraft. The pilot requested a northerly course deviation for weather avoidance, which was approved. About 0753, N477MD was cleared to climb to 10,000 feet. The controller then advised of a

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat as per the checklist, resulting in erroneous airspeed information due to pitot tube icing, and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's continued flight in an area of known adverse weather.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.