11 Sep 201611:30 reconstruction9K views

Drug-Impaired Pilot Takes Off Overweight — Crashes Into Parking Lot — 3 Dead

Flight Follower Editorial Team

Accident Facts

Accident: WPR16FA178
Date: 11 September 2016
Aircraft: Piper PA-28R-201T N821ET
Location: Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Nevada
Occupants: 3 — all fatal
Destination: San Carlos Airport, California

Timeline

17:15 PDT —

N821ET arrived at the FBO at Reno/Tahoe International Airport.

17:20 —

A fuel order was placed; fueling was completed about five minutes later.

17:41 —

The pilot returned to the aircraft and appeared to inspect the fuel tanks.

17:53 —

The engine was started.

18:04 —

The aircraft taxied away from the ramp.

18:13 —

After takeoff, the aircraft climbed only about 200–300 ft, then developed pronounced pitch and roll oscillations.

Emergency call —

The tower asked whether the pilot was okay; he replied that they had a problem.

Impact —

The aircraft entered a descending right turn, struck a lamppost and crashed into the airport parking lot.

What Happened

On 11 September 2016, Piper PA-28R-201T N821ET departed Reno/Tahoe International Airport on a personal cross-country flight to San Carlos, California. The airplane carried the pilot and two passengers. All three occupants were killed when the aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff and struck a parking lot.

The NTSB investigation found that the aircraft was about 178 pounds above its maximum gross weight and loaded at or just beyond its aft center-of-gravity limit. The pilot had expressed concern about the aircraft's weight to FBO personnel before departure, but the flight nevertheless continued.

The Takeoff

Security video, witness accounts and recorded aircraft data showed the airplane rotating and climbing only about 200 to 300 feet above the ground before leveling off. A witness reported pronounced wing rocking followed by a high nose attitude. The aircraft then moved to the right of the runway centerline and entered a descending right turn.

About 90 seconds after the takeoff clearance, the tower controller asked whether the pilot was okay. The pilot replied that they had a problem. Ten seconds later the controller cleared him to land on any runway. No further transmission from the pilot was recorded before the impact.

Weight, Loading and Performance

The NTSB determined that the airplane was loaded beyond its maximum gross weight and at or just beyond the aft center-of-gravity limit. The investigation found no airframe or engine anomaly that would have prevented normal operation. The combination of the loading condition, high density altitude at Reno and gusty wind was consistent with longitudinal instability and difficulty controlling the airplane during the initial climb.

Medical Findings

The medical investigation also found several impairing substances in the pilot's blood, including opioids and sedating drugs. The NTSB concluded that the combination of impairing medications likely degraded the pilot's decision-making and contributed to his willingness to proceed with the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The NTSB determined that the probable cause was the pilot's decision to depart with the airplane above maximum gross weight and at or just beyond its aft center-of-gravity limitations, resulting in loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing factors were the pressure to complete the flight as planned and the pilot's use of multiple impairing drugs.

Sources

Audio from the original air traffic control recording, sourced from public recordings and released investigation records. The reconstruction, animation and written account are our own.

Primary Investigation Reference

NTSB accident number: WPR16FA178