Piper PA-18-150 N2424A

Summary

On 1 February 2009 at about 19:15 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N2424A, operated by Flightline Group Inc, was involved in an accident near Tallahassee, Florida, United States. 4 people were on board. 2 people on the ground also died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 February 2009 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Ayavalla Field

Coordinates

30.5622, -84.3069

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N2424A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Flightline Group Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tallahassee → Tallahassee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA152

Injuries not recorded.

The pilot's decision to initiate takeoff in close proximity to other vehicles which were operating on the runway resulting in collision with a vehicle during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had previously performed a maneuver where a jeep and motorcycle would depart traveling down the runway, and he would then depart in the same direction and perform a low pass over them. On the day of the accident there was no briefing about the maneuver before the motorcycle, jeep, and he departed. The motorcycle departed first, followed by the jeep with two occupants, and finally the airplane. The pilot stated that he estimated he was flying at 75 mile-per-hour (mph) and the jeep was driving at 35 to 40 mph. He attempted to pass the right side of the jeep, but felt a bump and he knew he had hit the jeep. He also noticed the left wing navigation light was hanging down. He performed a 180-degree turn and landed on the runway, while the jeep veered off the runway and collided with trees. The pilot further reported there was no preimpact failure or malfunction with the flight controls. Toxicology testing performed on specimens obtained from the pilot after the accident was positive for 11-Nor 9 carboxy delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol 8.1 ng/mL, and negative for ethyl alcohol. The finding of carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol was consistent with the pilot having used marijuana within the previous days or weeks but it cannot be concluded that the use was contributory to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.