Piper PA46 N997MA accident near Aurora, Oregon

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing during a simulated power-off approach and landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control and the flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the pilot.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the purpose of the instructional flight was to practice commercial pilot maneuvers. He and the instructor returned to the airport at the conclusion of the flight and discussed how to conduct a power-off 180° approach and landing. When the airplane was abeam the 1,000-foot markings on the runway, the pilot reduced engine power to idle and started a left turn toward the runway. He stated that he realized the airplane was “probably not going to make the runway” and that the airplane was “not on final course.” He recalled the airplane turning sharply to the left as he pulled up on the control yoke and added right rudder. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

A video of the event showed the airplane in a left turn as it descended toward the runway. The airplane’s left bank decreased to a wings-level attitude before the airplane entered a steeper left bank, followed immediately by a right bank as the airplane descended into the ground short of the runway. Both the pilot's description and the video are consistent with the pilot exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering toward the runway, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19TA085 for the full record.