Piper PA-28RT-201 accident near Lutz, FL
On February 24, 2013, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Lutz, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 24, 2013
- Place
- Lutz, FL
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28RT-201 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 28.259°N, 82.403°W
- NTSB ID
- 20130225X60241
Official records · ERA13FA144
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn February 24, 2013, about 0814 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, N2895U, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it collided with terrain, shortly after takeoff from Tampa North Aero Park (X39), Lutz, Florida. The private pilot was the sole occupant and was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined to Crossville Memorial Airport (CSV), Crossville, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane was owned by the pilot and based at CSV. When the pilot did not arrive as planned, family members alerted authorities and a search was initiated. The general location of the accident site was identified utilizing signal information from the pilot's cellular telephone. With that information, a flight instructor and the airport owner from X39 conducted an aerial search of the area. Shortly after takeoff, one spotted smoke from a brush fire, and the other identified the site as an airplane accident. The accident site was located about 3 miles northwest of X39, on February 25, 2013, about 1500. Review of radar data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that a track of targets with a 1200 transponder code, originated from runway 32 at X39 at 0812:12. The track proceeded northwest and the altitudes indicated a climb to 900 feet, followed by a descent to 500 feet near the accident site and another climb to 1,200 feet. The last three targets recorded indicated a left turn a
Probable cause
The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of instrument experience.
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Browse: Florida · 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.
