North American T-28B accident near Wesley Chapel, Florida, June 3, 2004
On June 3, 2004 at about 4:10 pm local time, a North American T-28B, registered N261FM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wesley Chapel, Florida (Tampa North Aero Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to verify security of the left engine cowling and its subsequent separation in-flight and collision with the vertical stabilizer resulting in the loss of aircraft control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2004 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Wesley Chapel, Florida · Tampa North Aero Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American T-28B · all T-28Bs on the register
- Registration
- N261FM · no longer on the register · serial 137655
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was observed to depart from runway 32, and according to one witness, about 6 seconds after take off, "something small and rather dark fell from the plane." Another witness stated that a tarp of some kind came out from the plane." The airplane was then observed to roll left, and pitch down. The flight duration from takeoff to the time of the accident was estimated to be approximately 15-20 seconds. The airplane crashed into a wooded area. Examination of the wreckage, accident site, and departure end of the runway by an FAA inspector revealed several pieces of Plexiglas as well as the "Hinge, Engine side cowl forward" from the engine cowl assembly left hand side were found near the departure end of runway 32. Examination of the wreckage revealed the left hand side engine cowling was found farthest from the main wreckage, and a gash was noted in the vertical stabilizer from the leading edge aft to the main spar. Examination of the rear canopy revealed the Plexiglas was fractured with orange paint transfer near the fracture surface. The left hand side engine cowling was noted to be mostly orange in color, and was noted to have the "Hinge, Engine side cowl forward" and the aft upper section of cowling separated. No evidence of engine preimpact failure or malfunction was noted.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,300 hours in all; 2 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 19,610.8 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 9,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Wright 1820-86B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X39 Wesley Chapel FL at 4:10 pm
- Destination: X39 Wesley Chapel FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,541 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KTPA, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.