December 7, 2012, Grand Forks, N.D. - Cessna 501 Citation I/SP

The business jet was substantially damaged at about 2234 Central time during recovery from an in-flight upset. The two pilots and four passengers were not injured. Night instrument conditions prevailed. While climbing through approximately 7000 feet msl with the autopilot engaged, the pilots stated the left-side attitude indicator became inoperative and the autopilot rolled the aircraft into an unusual attitude. The pilot disengaged the autopilot and recovered the aircraft to level flight, primarily by referencing the turn needle and directional gyro. Both wings were substantially damaged by aerodynamic forces during the recovery maneuver.

Editorial Staff

Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A business jet sustained substantial damage to both wings following an in-flight upset, though all two pilots and four passengers were uninjured.
The upset was initiated when a left-side attitude indicator failed with the autopilot engaged, causing the aircraft to roll into an unusual attitude.
Pilots successfully recovered the aircraft after disengaging the autopilot, primarily by referencing other instruments, but aerodynamic forces during the maneuver substantially damaged both wings.

See a mistake? Contact us.

While climbing through approximately 7000 feet msl with the autopilot engaged, the pilots stated the left-side attitude indicator became inoperative and the autopilot rolled the aircraft into an unusual attitude. The pilot disengaged the autopilot and recovered the aircraft to level flight, primarily by referencing the turn needle and directional gyro. Both wings were substantially damaged by aerodynamic forces during the recovery maneuver. The pilots diverted to a nearby airport and landed without further incident.