New Piper Aircraft INC PA-46-500TP accident near Mendoza, Texas, December 7, 2009
On December 7, 2009 at about 5:34 pm local time, a New Piper Aircraft INC PA-46-500TP, registered N600YE, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR initial approach) near Mendoza, Texas (Austin-Bergstrom Int'L Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
***This report was modified on May 22, 2014. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in his loss of airplane control. Contributing to the pilot's spatial disorientation was the sequence and timing of the instructions issued by the air traffic controller. The pilot's operation of the airplane after using impairing medication may also have contributed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 2009 · about 5:34 pm local time
- Place
- Mendoza, Texas · Austin-Bergstrom Int'L Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- New Piper Aircraft INC PA-46-500TP
- Registration
- N600YE · no longer on the register · serial 4697250
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
***This report was modified on May 22, 2014. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The pilot was established on the localizer portion of the instrument landing system approach outside the final approach fix in visual meteorological conditions above clouds. He was then given vectors away from the localizer course by an air traffic controller. The vectors were close together and included a left 90-degree turn, a descent, and a 180-degree right turn back toward the localizer course. During the right turn and descent, the airplane continued turning with increasing bank and subsequently impacted the ground. According to a pilot weather report and flight path data the pilot entered clouds as he was starting the right turn toward the localizer. The combination of descending turns while entering instrument conditions were conducive to spatial disorientation. Further, the heading changes issued by the air traffic controller were rapid, of large magnitude, and, in combination with a descent clearance, likely contributed to the pilot's disorientation.Diphenhydramine, a drug that may impair mental and/or physical abilities, was found in the pilot's toxicological test results. While the exact effect of the drug at the time of the accident could not be determined, it may have contributed to the development of spatial disorientation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Air traffic event during approach (IFR initial approach)
- Other weather encounter during approach (IFR initial approach)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (IFR initial approach) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › ATC personnel
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › (general) › Effect on personnel
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusio › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,513 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 452.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 19, 2009
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-42A (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RKP Rockport TX at 3:59 pm
- Destination: AUS Austin TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 35R, 12,248 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 200 ft; ovct at 200 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:40 pm from AUS, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.