Piper Aircraft INC PA 46-350P accident near Eastsound, Washington, October 13, 2023
On October 13, 2023 at about 6:48 pm local time, a 2018 Piper Aircraft INC PA 46-350P, registered N509Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Eastsound, Washington (Orcas Island airport). It was an executive or corporate flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's unstable approach and improper configuration of the flaps during a go-around which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 2023 · about 6:48 pm local time
- Place
- Eastsound, Washington · Orcas Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper Aircraft INC PA 46-350P, built 2018
- Registration
- N509Z · no longer on the register · serial 4636726
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during his final approach, about 25 ft above the ground (agl), the airplane’s airspeed was too fast for the remaining available runway. The pilot initiated a go-around and raised the flaps prior to establishing a positive climb rate. Subsequently, the stall indicator warning sounded, and the airplane did not climb. The pilot then lowered the nose and the airplane impacted terrain. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,456 hours in all; 659 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 2,349 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 4, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 575 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 17, 2023; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,358 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A (piston); 575 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KYKM Yakima WA at 5:48 pm
- Destination: KORS Eastsound WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 2,901 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 11:35 am from KORS
Weather report (METAR): METAR KORS 131835Z AUTO 33005KT 9SM CLR 12/ A2978 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on June 6, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Provided G1000 Data | data file | Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | POH PA-46-350P Malibu Normal Procedures 4-33 Go-around | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | POH 4-33 4-41 Go Around and Stall | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Kmz File | map file | Download |
| 7 | Ads B Xlsx File | spreadsheet | Download |
| 8 | Photos | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.