12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Piper PA-28R-180 | N3757T

September 8th, 2024 | Vergennes, Vermont

Accident Location

  • City: Vergennes
  • State: Vermont
  • Latitude: 44.188818
  • Longitude: -73.357341
  • Airport ID: B06

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N3757T
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-28R-180
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Pelletier, Paul Joseph
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 55
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: Yes
  • Instructional Flight: Yes
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 8th, 2024
  • Time: 12:25 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
  • Total People Onboard: 4
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 3
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 4
  • NTSB No: Unkown
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot lost speed awareness, and allowed the aircraft to stall in the left turn immediately after departing runway 20. A witness recorded a video of the airplane as it departed from B06 airport on the accident flight. The airplane’s takeoff roll began about 1224 . The airplane rolled down the runway until it exited the frame and the video ended. The video did not capture the airplane’s takeoff, initial climb, or the accident. The airplane impacted terrain in a wooded area about 375 ft east of the departure end of runway 20 at B06. The first identified impact point was a ground scar that contained a portion of the left wingtip. The airplane came to rest approximately 30 ft from the initial impact point. It is not been determined if the aircraft lost power after takeoff or not. The aircraft had four adults on board and the total weight would have been near max allowable takeoff weight.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends hat all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and become conditioned to lowering the nose, and make conscious effort to maintain DMMS speed as soon as possible after liftoff.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.