# Accident 20150810013109A: Piper PA-28R-200, Marathon, FL, August 10, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 10, 2015, 00:40 local time
- Place: Marathon, FL
- Airport: Florida Keys Marathon Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 24.7300° N, 81.0767° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7300&lon=-81.0767&mi=10
- Aircraft: N54380, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54380-2018-03-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28R-200 (registry code 7102811, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 125 total, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA299) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150810013109A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 08/10/2015 AIRCRAFT N54380 DEPARTED MARATHON AIRPORT (MTH) AROUND 0040 HOURS EASTERN TIME. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER ABOUT A MILE WEST OF THE AIRPORT, INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT. AIRCRAFT WAS RENTED FROM PALM BEACH FLIGHT TRAINING AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RETURNED ON AUGUST 11, 2015.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA15FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA299), Aug 10, 2015: Piper PA-28R (N54380), Marathon, FL, destroyed, 1 fatal. 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…

## Other reports on N54380 (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20150128001512A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150128001512A), Jan 28, 2015: Piper PA-28R-200 (N54380), Lantana, FL, Minor damage. [privacy data omitted] Was flying as applicant for a flight instructor certificate in Piper arrow N54380. He and DPE [privacy data omitted] were conducting a…
- [Incident 19981008041569I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981008041569I), Oct 8, 1998: Piper PA28R200 (N54380), Fort Worth, TX, Minor damage. (-5) PIC failed to lower landing gear. CFI distracted by traffic in landing pattern.
- [Incident 19940205004349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940205004349I), Feb 5, 1994: Piper PA28R200 (N54380), Fort Worth, TX, Minor damage. Narrative: 02-07-94 interview with pilot: on 2-5-94, at 12:30 CST a preflight was conducted and aircraft was fueled. Mr. Lewmanmont (PIC), departed on runway…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.