Piper PA-25-235 accident near Groveland, Florida, March 13, 2013
On March 13, 2013 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-25-235, registered N7329Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Groveland, Florida (Seminole Lake Gliderport airport). It was a glider-towing flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a tailwind approach, his improper decision to continue a fast approach with a tailwind rather than go around, and his improper use of the wheel brakes during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 13, 2013 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Groveland, Florida · Seminole Lake Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-25-235 · all PA-25-235s on the register
- Registration
- N7329Z · no longer on the register · serial 25-3279
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting glider-tow operations, which were departing into the wind; the gliders were then landing in the opposite direction with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider tow and release, the airplane was returning to the airport to conduct a second glider tow. While turning to the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power and increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast" about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing; no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal airplane operation were observed, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots.
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
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 9,000 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 6,000 as pilot in command; 4,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 10, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tampa Bay Soaring Society INC
The flight
- Departed from: 6FL0 Groveland FL at 5:15 pm
- Destination: 6FL0 Groveland FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,000 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from ZPH, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N7329Z the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.