# NTSB MIA95LA158: Piper PA-32-260, N3431W, Brooksville, FL, June 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1995, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC)
- Place: Brooksville, FL
- Coordinates: 27.849784, -82.630844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8498&lon=-82.6308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA158

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER TAKEOFF FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL LIFT OFF AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE AIRPLANE THEN LIFTED OFF, AND ANOTHER PILOT-RATED WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN AN EXTREMELY NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE WITH THE ENGINE SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS AT A HIGH POWER SETTING. THE AIRPLANE THEN CRASHED INTO TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE ENGINE AND FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE EXAMINED AND NO PREACCIDENT MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. THE CARGO COULD NOT BE WEIGHED DUE TO POSTCRASH CONSUMPTION. THE SURVIVING PILOT-RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AFTER LIFTOFF.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 1995 about 0925 eastern daylight time, N3431W, operated by the pilot, and registered to SPSN Corporation, crashed on takeoff attempt in Brooksville, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot received fatal injuries. One passenger received serious injuries and three received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time.

Witnesses stated they observed the airplane on takeoff roll, lift off at least three times. The airplane then lifted off and another pilot-rated witness observed the airplane in an extremely nose-high attitude with the engine sounding like it was at a high power setting.The airplane then struck trees and crashed. There was a postcrash fire.

Examination of the wreckage and engine by FAA inspectors revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions in the engine, airplane, or flight controls. The FAA inspectors were not able to weigh the cargo due to postcrash fire consumption.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3431W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3431W-1996-11-25), registration cancelled 1996-11-25, S/N 32292 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-292
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Spsn Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1994, 25 hours before
- Departed: X05, FL
- Destination: FXE, FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Airport: X05, Pilot Country, runway 36, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 270 total, 80 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKV

## 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 19950626014919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950626014919A), Jun 26, 1995: Piper PA32260, Brooksville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried liftoff 3 times prior nose high initial climb. Stall mushed into trees. Suspect over gross. Early liftoff.

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.

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