Cessna 172R accident near Tampa, FL

On January 5, 2002, a Cessna 172R (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tampa, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

January 5, 2002

Place

Tampa, FL

Aircraft

Cessna 172R · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

27.916°N, 82.690°W

NTSB ID

20020110X00053

Official records · ATL02FA032

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 5, 2002, at 1703 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172R, N2371N, registered to National Aviation Holdings, Inc., and operated by a student pilot for the purpose of committing suicide, collided in-flight with the Bank of America Bank Building in Tampa, Florida. The unauthorized flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot received fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, Florida, at 1651. According to the student pilot's flight instructor, the student was instructed to preflight the airplane and wait on the instructor before beginning his flight training. Witnesses stated that the student pilot proceeded to the airplane, removed the tie downs, started the airplane, and immediately taxied to runway 35R, and took off without communicating with the Air Traffic Control Tower. The controllers stated that after takeoff the airplane turned right to the southeast. The tower controllers notified Tampa approach and a Coast Guard Helicopter flying in the local area. Additionally, the controllers attempted to contact the pilot via radio frequency 121.5, but were unsuccessful. The Coast Guard Helicopter was asked to intercept the airplane. The airplane proceeded to Mc Dill Air Force Base, over flying the control tower by just a few feet, over flew two aircraft on the runway, and three hangars on the base before proceeding to the Bank of A

Probable cause

The pilot's unauthorized use of an aircraft for the purpose of commiting suicide.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.