Piper PA-32-301T N588ET

Summary

On 5 March 2005 at about 19:15 local time, a Piper PA-32-301T registered N588ET, operated by David White, was involved in an accident near Destin, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 March 2005 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Destin, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Destin-Fort Walton Beach (DTS)

Coordinates

30.4000, -86.4714

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-301T

Registration

N588ET

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

David White

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Destin → Jackson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA05LA070

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during a crosswind takeoff resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.