Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Palakta, Florida, August 3, 2008
On August 3, 2008 at about 6:46 am local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N39758, was substantially damaged in an accident during uncontrolled descent near Palakta, Florida (Paltaka Municiple 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 partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2008 · about 6:46 am local time
- Place
- Palakta, Florida · Paltaka Municiple Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N39758 · no longer on the register · serial 32R-78877162
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane struck trees shortly after takeoff during an early morning departure. The flight was the second leg of a trip which had begun the previous day, but then was delayed when a passenger required medical care. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed a little long," and that the engine began losing power immediately after becoming airborne. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and subsequently struck a tree, impacted the ground, and caught fire. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane via the rear door. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal evidence of any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented a successful takeoff. However, the cockpit area was destroyed, and the engine control friction lock tension could not be determined.
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
- Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher during initial climb
- Loss of engine power (total) during uncontrolled descent defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: military, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,500 hours in all; 750 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 4,400 as pilot in command; 1,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 16, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,477 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 2008; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Takita LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 28J Palakta FL at 6:45 am
- Destination: HEG Jacksonville FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 am from GNV, 35 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.