August 2, 2012, Truckee, Calif., Piper PA-24-250 Comanche

At about 0814 Pacific time, the airplane sustained substantial damage upon impacting a hangar during takeoff. The solo commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Originally, the pilot and two passengers aborted a takeoff and landed uneventfully on the remaining runway. The pilot then had both passengers exit the airplane while the engine was still running and taxied back to Runway 19. On the second takeoff, the airplane lifted off normally, entered a nose-high attitude as if it was going to “stall,” then descended into an airplane hangar. The engine sounded normal and appeared to be producing power.

Key Takeaways:

• A solo commercial pilot was fatally injured when their airplane sustained substantial damage after impacting a hangar during a second takeoff attempt.
• The pilot had aborted an initial takeoff and landed uneventfully, instructing passengers to exit before attempting the second takeoff.
• During the second takeoff, the airplane lifted off normally but then entered a nose-high attitude, resembling a stall, before descending into the hangar, even though the engine sounded normal.

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