No fatalities

PIPER J3C-65 accident at Homosassa Springs, FL, 14 Mar 2024

Homosassa Springs, FL, United States

On March 14, 2024, a PIPER J3C-65 operated by LUKAS VIVOLO was involved in an aviation accident near Homosassa Springs, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to confirm the throttle position before attempting to start the airplane’s engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to confirm the throttle position before attempting to start the airplane’s engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Mar 2024 PIPER J3C-65 accident near Homosassa Springs, FL?

The pilot’s failure to confirm the throttle position before attempting to start the airplane’s engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Mar 2024 PIPER J3C-65 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Mar 2024 involved a PIPER J3C-65, operated by LUKAS VIVOLO, at Homosassa Springs, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to confirm the throttle position before attempting to start the airplane’s engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.