Undetermined · NTSB MIA08FA144

BEECH A-36 — Tampa, FL

3 fatal High-time pilot
DateJuly 17, 2008
LocationTampa, FL
AircraftBEECH A-36
Purpose of flightPersonal
ConditionsDay · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrencePost-impact Fire/smoke (post-impact)
Pilot age81
Pilot total time5,010 hrs · High time
Time in typeUnknown
Fatalities3

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 findings

  • Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Contributed to outcome

What happened

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.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →