6 fatal · PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD PC-12/47 · 2012-06-07 · Lake Wales, FL, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA12FA385
Event ID
20120607X54234
Type
Accident
Date
2012-06-07
Location
Lake Wales, FL, USA
Coordinates
27.823055, -81.477218
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
6
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
6
Aircraft
Make
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD
Model
PC-12/47
Registration
N950KA
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
IMC
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane while climbing to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) following disconnect of the autopilot. The reason for the autopilot disconnect could not be determined during postaccident testing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in high-performance, turbo-propeller airplanes and in IMC.