6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Piper PA-32RT-300 | N30689

May 10th, 2025 | Yulee, Florida

Accident Location

  • City: Yulee
  • State: Florida
  • Latitude: 30.625278
  • Longitude: -81.528889
  • Airport ID: 83FL

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N30689
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-32RT-300
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Pung, Larry John
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 56
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: Basic Med
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: May 10th, 2025
  • Time: 9:30 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Initial Climb
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 0
  • NTSB No: ERA25FA201
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot attempted a very heavy takeoff from runway 12 at 83FA. The accident pilot was in a hurry due to an approaching line of weather, and failed to secure the forward nose baggage door. The baggage door came open after liftoff and the accident pilot mishandled this abnormal and did allow the aircraft to turn left, slow to a speed well below DMMS speed, and then eventually below stall speed. The aircraft became fully aerodynamically stalled and spun while in a left turn, impacting the backyard of a home at 96067 Ashford Ct, Yulee, FL Contents from the nose of the aircraft were found on the departure path.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be critically careful of latches, doors and fuel caps during the preflight process, and to be fully conditioned to disregard the in flight abnormal in these scenarios and fly the aircraft first, wings level and at DMMS as a minimum. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.

NTSB: NONE

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.