# NTSB ERA24LA243: Eide Turner T-40A, N4DE, Middleburg, FL, June 2, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 2, 2024, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Middleburg, FL - Coordinates: 30, -82 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0000&lon=-82.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194373/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194373 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA243 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of control during climb out, which resulted in a collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eide TURNER T-40A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0564910), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eide TURNER T-40A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0564910), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Eide TURNER T-40A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0564910), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eide TURNER T-40A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0564910), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot after conducting a preflight check and inspecting all instruments, he proceeded with the departure despite gusty wind conditions. Once airborne, he reported that the winds began to push the airplane off the centerline to the left. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane, resulting in a collision with a tree. He noted that there were no anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4DE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4DE), registered now, S/N 132 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EIDE TURNER T-40A - Registry model: [Eide TURNER T-40A](https://openairdocs.org/model/eide-turner-t-40a) (registry code 0564910) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 132 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 217 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, April 15, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FL10, Little River, runway 36, 3,375 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 225 total, 6 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: K24J, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR K24J 022335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT100 27/19 A3002 RMK A01 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240602008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240602008119A), Jun 2, 2024: Eide TURNER T-40A, Mcalpin, FL, Destroyed. Pilot stated that prior to flight, he checked the weather via telephone from jacksonville flight weather and performed a normal pre-flight inspection of the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194373. 688 KB in all. - Mor pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18023592&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20JB%20LA243-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18023456&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20witness%20satement%202%20LA243-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18023626&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20interview%20and%20inspection%20notes%20LA243-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18228318&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA243-Rel.pdf 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. --- 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.