# NTSB SEA93LA036: Piper PA-46, N856M, Twin Falls, ID, December 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1992, 18:58 local (Dec 12, 1992, 01:58 UTC)
- Place: Twin Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.230972, -115.009986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2310&lon=-115.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE ILS GLIDE PATH.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER AN ALL DAY FLIGHT FROM VERO BEACH, FLORIDA, THE PILOT DIVERTED FROM HIS DESTINATION TO HIS ALTERNATE AND ATTEMPTED A COUPLED ILS APPROACH AT TWIN FALLS, IDAHO.  DURING THE APPROACH, HIS AUTOPILOT DISENGAGED AND HE MISSED THE APPROACH, AND THEN ELECTED TO HAND FLY AN APPROACH, WHEN HE COULDN'T REENGAGE THE AUTOPILOT.  DURING THE SECOND APPROACH ATTEMPT, HE DESCENDED BELOW THE GLIDE PATH AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.  WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE WAS ONE HALF MILE VISIBILITY AND 200 FEET OBSCURED CLOUD LAYER.  THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER AFTER IMPACTING IN A LEVEL PLOWED FIELD. THE PILOT TURNED ON THE ELT AFTER TRYING HIS RADIOS AND DISCOVERING THAT THE ELT WAS NOT TRANSMITTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N856M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N856M-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 46-8508069, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46
- Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8508069
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BE 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David & Patricia Wilson
- Registered owner: David & Patricia Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1992
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Destination: SUN, HAILEY, ID
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TWF, Twin Falls Regional, runway 25, 8,703 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,171 total, 19 in this make and model, 1,102 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 14° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19921211049939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921211049939A), Dec 11, 1992: Piper PA46310P, Twin Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Descended below dh on IFR approach to airport. Impacted short of runway. Weather below IFR landing minimums.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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