Piper PA 46-350P accident near Greensburg, IN

On December 2, 2012, a Piper PA 46-350P (airplane) was involved in an accident near Greensburg, IN. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

December 2, 2012

Place

Greensburg, IN

Aircraft

Piper PA 46-350P · Airplane

Injuries

4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

39.340°N, 85.481°W

NTSB ID

20121203X20807

Official records · CEN13FA085

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

Air traffic control records

• ATC 3 - ATC Specialist's Report: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Attachment 1 - Alert Notice (ALNOT): Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Attachment 2 - FAA Form 7230-4 Daily Record of Air Traffic Control Facility Operation: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Attachment 4 - FAA Form 8020-9 Aircraft Accident/Incident Preliminary Notice: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Attachment 5 - Indianapolis ARTCC Radar Data - 1730 -1800 EST Part 1 of 2: Document (CSV), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 2, 2012, at 1816 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N92315, was destroyed when it collided with terrain while executing the RNAV (GPS) RWY 36 instrument approach into the Greensburg Municipal Airport (I34), Greensburg, Indiana. The instrument rated private pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to an individual, and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident, which was operated on an instrument flight rules flight (IFR) plan. The flight originated at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (DTS), Destin, Florida, at 1518, and was en route to I34. A review of air traffic control communications and radar data revealed that after the airplane departed Destin it was eventually cleared to an altitude of 21,000 feet mean sea level (msl) and preceded on course to I34. At 1748, the pilot requested a lower altitude and was directed to descend and maintain 14,000 feet msl. Four minutes later, the pilot requested the RNAV (GPS) RWY 36 approach into I34 and was advised to stand by. As the airplane approached 14,000 feet msl, the pilot requested to continue his descent and was directed to descend and maintain 11,000 feet msl. At 1759, the pilot reiterated his request for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 36 approach to I34 and requested to proceed direct to PULIC intersection, which was the initial approach fix (IAF) for the approach. A controller then cleared the pilot direct to PULIC . At 1800, a co

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation.

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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.