2001 N911PL Flight Incident: VFR Departure from Tampa and Subsequent Wreckage Recovery

Flight Details and Weather Conditions On March 3, 2001, a VFR flight plan was filed for aircraft N911PL, operating between Tampa, Florida, and Beaumont, Texas. Prior to departure, a Saint Petersburg AFSS telephone brief indicated that a stationary frontal system between northern Georgia and a point in the Gulf of Mexico west of New Orleans had triggered severe thunderstorm watches. The intended flight path was affected by moderate turbulence, strong headwinds, possible surface and aloft hail up to 1 inch, wind gusts up to 60 knots, and thunderstorm tops reaching approximately 45,000 feet. Numerous SIGMETS, AIRMETS, and weather watches were active before and during the flight. The destination forecast predicted IFR ceilings until 2000 local time, despite the planned arrival time of 1438 local time. The flight departed Tampa at 1208 local time. During the flight, FAA Gulfport Approach Control informed the pilot that FAA New Orleans Approach Control recommended the flight not continue VFR. After the pilot accepted this recommendation, Gulfport suggested a heading. However, radar observations showed the aircraft taking a different heading and beginning a high rate of descent. Communications ceased at 1422 local time. ## Wreckage Recovery and Analysis A Coast Guard helicopter located wreckage pieces at approximately the 216-degree radial, 17 miles from the Gulfport VOR, around 1509 local time. A Coast Guard vessel was dispatched to the scene and recovered aircraft seats, interior parts, personal luggage, and an undeployed life raft. The left wing was subsequently recovered, and the wing/fuselage attachments were analyzed by the NTSB Materials Laboratory. The fractures indicated overstress in the upward direction, assuming an upright aircraft orientation. No other wreckage pieces or the pilot were recovered as of the source's reporting date.