History of Flight
On April 5, 2023, at 2137 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N635BD, was destroyed when it impacted water near Venice, Florida. The commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Earlier that day, the airplane departed Albert Whitted Airport (SPG), St. Petersburg, Florida, and flew to Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida. The accident occurred during climb out from runway 23 on the return flight to SPG under night visual flight rules.
A friend of the pilot reported that the pilot and passengers arrived at VNC around 1740–1800, went to dinner, and the pilot did not drink alcohol. After dinner, the friend drove them back to the airport, observed a preflight inspection using iPhone flashlights, and heard the engine start shortly after 2119. The engine idled roughly at first, then smoothed out. The pilot transmitted on the common traffic advisory frequency: “Venice Traffic, 635 Bravo Delta, Departing 230, Straight out.”
Witnesses saw the airplane take off and climb to about 300–400 ft before it stopped gaining altitude, rocked back and forth, turned right, and descended into the water. Security camera video showed the airplane taking off over dark water with no discernable horizon, beginning a shallow climb, then a right turn. Runway lights turned off after departure. The airplane's altitude peaked, then it entered a rapid descent.
ADS-B data indicated liftoff at about 2136, climb to about 300 ft barometric altitude and 103 knots ground speed, then a right turn began. At 2136:40.9, descent started. Over the next 14 seconds, rate of descent and ground speed increased. Last data at 2136:54.6 showed altitude 100 ft, ground speed 136 knots, vertical descent rate 3,008 ft/min.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane was a Piper PA-32R-300, N635BD. No maintenance logbooks were recovered, but records indicated the most recent annual inspection was completed on September 15, 2022, at 5,307.3 total hours and 134.5 hours since engine major overhaul.
The pilot, age 64, held a commercial pilot certificate. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on June 3, 2016, with a limitation not valid after June 30, 2017. He received BasicMed certification on June 17, 2021. A review of an insurance policy from May 15, 2022 indicated about 1,566 total flight hours, with 15 hours in the accident make and model. Flight time in the last 12 months was 15 hours.
Meteorological Information
Weather recorded at VNC at 2135, about two minutes before the accident, showed calm winds, visibility 10 miles, clear skies. The moon was full, at altitude 25° and azimuth 109.68°, low on the eastern horizon behind and left of the airplane.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Wreckage was recovered from the Gulf of America at about 23 ft depth. All major components were found except the right wing, right aileron, right flap, sections of the main fuselage, and parts of the fuel system. Fuselage was destroyed; top portion of cabin and right wing not recovered. Flight control continuity was established for all primary surfaces except the right aileron. No evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airframe, engine, or propeller was discovered.
Additional Information
The airplane was equipped with a Trio Avionics two-axis autopilot with a minimum engagement altitude of 500 ft. The airplane did not reach that altitude. The autopilot had a “Recover Mode” for loss of horizon, but examination found the on/off switch in the Off position.
An engine data monitor (EDM) recording showed engine producing power during the accident with no anomalies.
Medical case review noted the pilot had a history of type II diabetes and high cholesterol. Autopsy listed cause of death as blunt impact injuries. Toxicology detected ethanol in cavity blood at 0.013 g/dL (below FAA limit of 0.04) but not in vitreous fluid, consistent with postmortem production. Glucose in vitreous was 162 mg/dL and HbA1c was 12.1% in cavity blood.
The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook states that crossing large bodies of water at night in single-engine airplanes can be hazardous because the horizon blends with water, affecting depth perception and orientation. The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge notes that without visual horizon, the vestibular system becomes unreliable and a graveyard spiral can develop.