Piper PA-28RT-201 N2895U

Summary

On 24 February 2013 at about 13:14 local time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 registered N2895U was involved in an accident near Lutz, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 February 2013 at 13:14

Classification

Accident

Location

Lutz, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Tampa North Aero Park (X39)

Coordinates

28.2586, -82.4025

Aircraft

Piper PA-28RT-201

Registration

N2895U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lutz → Crossville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13FA144

1 person died.

The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of instrument experience.  

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had recently purchased the airplane, and did not possess an instrument rating. Additionally, there was no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing from flight service or direct user access terminal before departing on a long cross-country flight; the ceiling at the departure airport ranged from 400 feet to 600 feet overcast. The wreckage was located the following day about 3 miles from the departure airport. Radar data revealed that the airplane flew for about 2 minutes after takeoff, with varying headings and altitudes, before beginning a left descending turn near the accident site. The majority of wreckage had been consumed by a postcrash fire and examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Given the low-visibility conditions, the pilot's lack of an instrument rating and instrument proficiency, and the radar data showing varying altitudes and headings shortly after takeoff, it is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control. Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed therapeutic levels of a prescription pain medication (Hydrocodone). The investigation could not determine if the pain medication was impairing at the time. Further, the circumstances of the accident are more consistent with spatial disorientation rather than impairment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.