Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH EA 300/L accident near Tampa, Florida, November 28, 2008
On November 28, 2008 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH EA 300/L, registered N505EX, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Tampa, Florida (Peter O Knight airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with an object.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 2008 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Tampa, Florida · Peter O Knight · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH EA 300/L · all EA 300/Ls on the register
- Registration
- N505EX · registry record · serial 1211
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while on approach to final, and as he prepared to touchdown, he saw a sailboat that did not have its sail raised. Consequently, he did not see the sail mast. The right wing tip struck the mast and shattered. The pilot added power in an attempt to level out the airplane, but it collided with the ground. The pilot said that he did not observe any abnormalities with the airplane or the engine during his approach. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's right wing struck the sailboat approximately 8 feet below the top of the sail mast. Witnesses to the accident reported that the sailboat was operating approximately 50 yards from the seawall when the accident occurred. They said that the airplane attempted to curve around the sailboat but as the right wing dipped it hit the mast.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,688 hours in all; 155 in this make and model; 4,685 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 17, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 223 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2008; 43 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,095 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tampa Aircraft Holding Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: TPF Tampa FL at 3:40 pm
- Destination: TPF Tampa FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 3,405 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 4:20 pm from TPF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.