# NTSB MIA03LA082: Beech A36, N4315S, Tavernier, FL, March 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2003, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC) - Place: Tavernier, FL - Coordinates: 25.008611, -80.533058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0086&lon=-80.5331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56726/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA082 ## Probable cause The control interference by the pilot-rated passenger in an attempt to avoid an obstacle, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - control interference, pilot passenger (cause) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot passenger (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll a dog appeared in front of the airplane, and the next thing he remembered was that the airplane banked left and collided with trees lining the left side of the runway. The pilot-rated passenger/owner of the airplane said that when he saw an animal appear in front of the airplane during the takeoff roll, in an attempt to avoid a collision with the animal he intervened and applied back pressure to the control column to get the airplane airborne. He said he remembered the airplane veering to the left, and he tried to apply right rudder and pushed the control column forward in an attempt to keep the airplane in ground effect. Both the pilot and passenger/owner stated that prior to the accident there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2003, about 0615 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N4315S, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during takeoff at Tavernaero Park, Tavernier, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries, and two other passengers received no injuries. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was seated in the left seat, and was the pilot operating the flight controls during the takeoff roll. He said that during the takeoff a dog suddenly appeared in front of the airplane, and the next thing he remembered was that the airplane banked left, and collided with trees lining the left side of the runway. The pilot-rated passenger/owner of the airplane said that when he saw an animal appear in front of the airplane during the takeoff roll, in an attempt to avoid a collision with the animal he applied back pressure to the control column to get the airplane airborne. He said he remembered the airplane veering to the left, and he tried to apply right rudder, and pushed the control column forward in an attempt to keep the airplane in ground effect. He said the airplane collided with trees lining the left side of the runway. Both the pilot and passenger/owner stated that prior to the accident there had been no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4315S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4315S-2004-11-02), registration cancelled 2004-11-02, S/N E-685, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E685 - Airframe hours: 5398 - Engines: A IO-550-B4F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary J. Larocco - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 2002, 120 hours before - Departed: 72X, Tavernier, FL - Destination: WDR, Atlanta, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 72X, Tavernaero, runway 090, 2,000 × 110 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 502 total, 79 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 1 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: HST, 32 nm away ## 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 20030330007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030330007389A), Mar 30, 2003: Beech A36, Tavernier, FL, Destroyed. (-23) At 0615 the aircraft started takeoff on a grass 1864 ft runway (09) which had a light dew. At approximately 65 KIAS the pilot indicated an animal ran… 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.