Accident Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage N9255B, Tuesday 15 December 1998

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Date:	Tuesday 15 December 1998
Time:	18:38 LT
Type:	Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
Owner/operator:	R.m. Diversified, Inc.
Registration:	N9255B
MSN:	4622197
Year of manufacture:	1995
Total airframe hrs:	516 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Granby, CO - United States of America
Phase:	Unknown
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Idaho Falls, ID (KIDA)
Destination airport:	Denver, CO (KAPA)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The airplane was descending (15,700 feet) VMC over the Rocky Mountains when the airplane gained 500 feet in 5 to 6 seconds. The pilot said that the airplane rolled 90 degrees right, and pitched up 45 degrees. Both wings and the horizontal stabilizer of the airplane were subsequently replaced.

Probable Cause: The in-flight encounter with clear air turbulence during descent.

Accident investigation: