April 11, 2011, Richmond, Va., Piper PA-31-350

The airplane was destroyed at 2127 Eastern time when it impacted a taxiway after takeoff. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Night visual conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed for the Part 135 non-scheduled cargo flight. After reaching about 200 feet agl, the airplane descended and impacted a taxiway parallel to the departure runway.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane was destroyed and its commercial pilot seriously injured after impacting a taxiway shortly after takeoff during a night visual flight.
  • The incident occurred during a Part 135 non-scheduled cargo flight for which an IFR flight plan had been filed.
  • After reaching approximately 200 feet agl, the aircraft descended, resulting in extensive impact and post-impact fire damage that consumed most of the airframe.
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The airplane was destroyed at 2127 Eastern time when it impacted a taxiway after takeoff. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Night visual conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed for the Part 135 non-scheduled cargo flight.

After reaching about 200 feet agl, the airplane descended and impacted a taxiway parallel to the departure runway. The majority of the airframe exhibited extensive impact and post-impact fire-related damage. The empennage was almost completely consumed by fire.

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