Piper PA-24-250 accident near Truckee, CA
On August 2, 2012, a Piper PA-24-250 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Truckee, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 2, 2012
- Place
- Truckee, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.317°N, 120.142°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120802X31102
Official records · WPR12FA339
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 2, 2012, about 0814 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N8218P, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a hangar during takeoff initial climb from Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK), Truckee, California. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight which was originating at the time of the accident. Representatives from Los Medicos Voladores reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the pilot was participating in a flight to Baja, Mexico for medical outreach along with two passengers. As part of their flight, they were transporting medical supplies. Two witnesses, who were previously onboard the airplane reported that the accident flight was the second attempted takeoff by the pilot. Prior to the first takeoff, the pilot and passengers loaded baggage into the aft baggage compartment and rear seat area. After a normal taxi out and pre-takeoff checks, the pilot initiated takeoff on runway 19. The passengers stated that the airplane appeared to have accelerated and lifted off normally, however, as the airplane ascended through about 20 feet above the runway, the airplane wobbled to the left and right, and drifted slightly to the left. The pilot told the passengers that something did not feel right and that the airplane was not climbing. Subsequently, the
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by prescription pain medication.
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Browse: California · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
