The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1114 Eastern time after its autopilot disengaged and it entered a dive during cruise flight at FL220. There were no injuries to the Private pilot or passenger. Subsequently, he stated he heard a “loud whistling noise” and noticed the right-side attitude indicator was “tilted.” He reported leaning over the right front pilot seat while “focusing” and “adjusting” the right side attitude indicator and “soon” noticed the right side heading indicator was turning. He sat up and “discovered” the airplane was in a “dive.” He leveled the wings and pulled out of the “dive” at FL 190.
December 3, 2006, Atlanta, GA. / Piper Pa 46-350P
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1114 Eastern time after its autopilot disengaged and it entered a dive during cruise flight at FL220. There were no injuries to the Private pilot or passenger.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane sustained substantial damage after its autopilot disengaged during cruise flight at FL220, causing it to enter a dive.
- The private pilot, after noticing a "loud whistling noise" and a tilted attitude indicator, subsequently discovered the dive and successfully recovered the aircraft at FL190.
- Despite the aircraft's substantial damage, there were no injuries to the pilot or passenger.
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