- Date
- March 5, 2005, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place
- Destin, FL
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N588ETPiper PA-32-301T
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 25, 2006
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Birghmingham FSDO, SO09
- FAA report
- 20050305003699A
- Case key
- 61097
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during a crosswind takeoff resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with terrain.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During the takeoff roll the airplane veered off the runway, and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the winds were from the east at about 11 knots gusting to 19 knots prior to the takeoff from runway 32. About 700 feet in the takeoff roll, while keeping the airplane straight with right rudder and right aileron due to the crosswind, at an indicated airspeed of 70 knots and during rotation the airplane swerved to the left. He could not hold the airplane straight. He and the passenger felt a sensation that the tail of the airplane was being pushed forward and to the right making the nose move to the left. He noted the airplane was departing the runway and "cut power" followed by the airplane's sudden stop in the sand. An airframe and powerplant mechanic examined the aircraft after the accident. The flight controls, steering rods, springs, and cables were found to be intact, and continuity was established. The nosewheel and axle had no anomalies. The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) reported winds during the time of the accident from 240 at 12 knots gusting to 19 knots.
Factual narrative
On March 5, 2005, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-301T, N588ET, registered to MS Risk Services Inc. and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collapsed the nose gear after it departed off the left side of the runway during takeoff roll at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Destin, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and the passenger received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time.
The pilot stated that the winds were from the east at about 11 knots gusting to 19 knots prior to the takeoff from runway 32. About 700 feet in the takeoff roll, while keeping the airplane straight with right rudder and right aileron due to the crosswind and at an indicated airspeed of 70 knots, during rotation the airplane swerved to the left. He could not hold the airplane straight. He and the passenger felt a sensation that the tail of the airplane was being pushed forward and to the right making the nose move left. He noted the airplane was departing the runway and "cut power" followed by the airplane sudden stop in the sand.
The FAA Inspector who responded to the accident stated that the pilot said that at about rotation speed the aircraft suddenly swerved to the left and came to rest off the left side of the runway. An airframe and power plant mechanic examined the aircraft after the accident, and the flight controls, steering rods, springs, and cables were found to be intact and have full continuity. The nose wheel and axle had no anomalies.
The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) reported winds during the time of the accident were from 240 at 12 knots gusting to 19 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N588ET
- Reported as
- Piper PA-32-301T
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 32-8024044
- Airframe hours
- 3,166
- Engine
- Lycoming TIO-540-SER, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- David White
- Registered owner
- MS RiskServices Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 1, 2004 · 29 hours before
- Departed
- DTS · Destin, FL
- Destination
- HKS · Jackson, MS
- Airport
- DTS · Destin-Fort Walton Beach, runway 32, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- October 1, 2003
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 865 total · 720 in this make and model · 827 as pilot in command · 7 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.09 inHg
- Observed at
- DTS
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N588ET · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.