# NTSB MIA05LA070: Piper PA-32-301T, N588ET, Destin, FL, March 5, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2005, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Destin, FL - Coordinates: 30.399999, -86.471389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4000&lon=-86.4714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birghmingham FSDO, SO09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61097/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA070 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N588ET-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 32-8024044, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-301T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8024044 - Airframe hours: 3166 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050305003699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050305003699A), Mar 5, 2005: Piper PA32301T, Destin, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that about rotation speed the aircraft suddenly swerved to the left and came to rest off the runway. At the time ASOS reported winds at… ## Other investigations on N588ET (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 WPR12FA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA369), Aug 26, 2012: Piper PA-32-301T (N588ET), South Lake Tahoe, CA, substantial damage, 5 fatal. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examinations revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal… 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.