Piper PA-32RT-300T N39758

Summary

On 3 August 2008 at about 06:46 local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T registered N39758, operated by Takita LLC, was involved in an accident near Palakta, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2008 at 06:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Palakta, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Paltaka Municiple Airport (28J)

Coordinates

29.6411, -81.6847

Aircraft

Piper PA-32RT-300T

Registration

N39758

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Takita LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palakta → Jacksonville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

NYC08LA264

2 people had minor injuries.

The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane struck trees shortly after takeoff during an early morning departure. The flight was the second leg of a trip which had begun the previous day, but then was delayed when a passenger required medical care. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed a little long," and that the engine began losing power immediately after becoming airborne. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and subsequently struck a tree, impacted the ground, and caught fire. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane via the rear door. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal evidence of any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented a successful takeoff. However, the cockpit area was destroyed, and the engine control friction lock tension could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.