Piper PA-11 accident near Quincy, Florida, September 7, 2009
On September 7, 2009 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-11, registered N4778M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Quincy, Florida (Quincy Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper use of flight controls following a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the use of an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 7, 2009 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Quincy, Florida · Quincy Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-11 · all PA-11s on the register
- Registration
- N4778M · no longer on the register · serial 11-294
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and his passenger flew the accident airplane earlier in the day when they observed a "dead cylinder" prior to takeoff. After 2 mechanics freed a sticking exhaust valve, a ground run was accomplished, followed by an uneventful 30-minute local flight. After breaking for lunch, the pilot and passenger returned to the airport for another local flight. Shortly after takeoff they again observed a "dead cylinder" and the engine was "shaking real bad." The pilot, who was at the controls at the time, "tried to turn the plane around so violently, it instantly stalled out and went into a spin and we went straight in." The airplane crashed into an open cotton field. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure, and no physical evidence of a sticking exhaust valve was observed. The pilot had a history of advanced cirrhosis of the liver, severe emphysema, and the regular use of prescription narcotic painkillers. He had noted a history of lung problems and 6-year history of cirrhosis (with the use of two medications for complications of the disease) to a designated aviation medical examiner (AME) 3 days before the accident. The AME issued the pilot a 3rd class medical certificate without any additional information provided or requested. The pilot had not previously had a medical certificate issued for nearly 7 years, and the Federal Aviation Administration publishes guidance for AMEs to not issue medical certificates to pilots with histories of cirrhosis or emphysema. Because of extensive postaccident treatment, it was not possible to determine whether the pilot might have been impaired by narcotic medication, but post-mortem toxicological testing did reveal elevated levels of an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine, strongly suggesting impairment due to the use of that substance.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
Crew member
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 55 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,086 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 2, 2009; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2J9 Quincy FL at 7:30 pm
- Destination: 2J9 Quincy FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 2,684 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from TLH, 16 miles away
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.