Amateur-built TURNER T-40A accident near Middleburg, Florida, June 2, 2024
On June 2, 2024 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1980 amateur-built TURNER T-40A, registered N4DE, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Middleburg, Florida (Little River airport). It was a personal 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 loss of control during climb out, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2024 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Middleburg, Florida · Little River · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TURNER T-40A, built 1980
- Registration
- N4DE · registry record · serial 132
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot after conducting a preflight check and inspecting all instruments, he proceeded with the departure despite gusty wind conditions. Once airborne, he reported that the winds began to push the airplane off the centerline to the left. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane, resulting in a collision with a tree. He noted that there were no anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 225 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 225 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 217 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 15, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,375 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from K24J, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR K24J 022335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT100 27/19 A3002 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on February 21, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mor Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.