1994-09-11: Piper PA-32-301 — Fort Pierce, FL

Casualties unknown • Fort Pierce, FL, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH AN 11 KNOT RIGHT CROSSWIND. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TAIL HEAVY AND THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE TAIL DRAGGED AND BOUNCED ON THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT DURING TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT LIFTED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO NORMAL LIFT OFF SPEED. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO VEER TO THE LEFT AND TOUCHED DOWN IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE IN THE GRASS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH AND CAME TO REST ON A PARKING RAMP.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-09-11 Piper PA-32-301 accident near Fort Pierce, FL?

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH AN 11 KNOT RIGHT CROSSWIND. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TAIL HEAVY AND THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE TAIL DRAGGED AND BOUNCED ON THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT DURING TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT LIFTED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO NORMAL LIFT OFF SPEED.…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-09-11 involved a Piper PA-32-301, registration N8056P, at Fort Pierce, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02318. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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