Pilot Debrief

BEECH A-36 near Tampa, FL — 2008-07-17

Final reportMIA08FA144
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Date
2008-07-17
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Airport
VDF
Aircraft
BEECH A-36
Registration
N36CL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to take off with a tailwind and his failure to maintain runway alignment during initial takeoff climb.

NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted a takeoff from runway 5, a 5,000-foot-long runway. The winds at the time of the accident were from 220 degrees at 6 knots. A witness observed the airplane taking off on the last one-third of the runway. The airplane's landing gear was observed to be retracted as the airplane drifted left of the runway and the right wing tip collided with an instrument landing system (ILS) glideslope antenna. The airplane impacted the ground and ultimately came to rest right side up, immediately catching fire. The ILS glideslope antenna was located 212 feet left of the runway 5 centerline and 3,461 feet from the runway 5 threshold. The exact takeoff roll start point on the last one-third of the runway was not determined. Examination of the airplane structure, flight controls, systems, engine assemblies, and accessories, revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after drifting off runway.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 36 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents36

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