Piper PA-28R accident near Marathon, FL
On August 10, 2015, a Piper PA-28R (airplane) was involved in an accident near Marathon, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 10, 2015
- Place
- Marathon, FL
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 24.730°N, 81.077°W
- NTSB ID
- 20150810X33043
Official records · ERA15FA299
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 10, 2015 about 0035 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N54380, was destroyed when it impacted the water after takeoff from the Marathon Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight had an intended destination of Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), West Palm Beach, Florida. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The airplane was owned by The Wildwood Helicopter Company, Inc. and operated by Palm Beach Flight Training. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Airport security video recorded the airplane taxing out to the runway and began the takeoff roll, on runway 25, at 0034. A second video captured the airplane after it had already become airborne, a few feet above ground level, at an indicated time of 0034:17. The recording revealed the airplane climbing on the upwind leg of the traffic pattern, and began to turn right for the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern about 0034:59. At 0035:22, the airplane lights were no longer visible. The recording further revealed the absence of any visible horizon to the northwest of the airport. The video was further overlaid by a daytime screen shot, to verify that the view of the airplane was unhindered. The modified video revealed one tree had obstructed the actual impact with the water. According to a representative of Palm Beach Flight Training, the pilot rented the airplane on August 9, 2015, departed about
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to depart on a night flight over water.
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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.
