At 1529 eastern time, a Piper PA-46-310P crashed while trying to return to the airport shortly after takeoff from Hilton Head Airport. The pilot and passenger were killed. The pilot took off and, four minutes later, declared an emergency on the airports common traffic advisory frequency. The pilot said he was making an immediate return. One witness heard the CTAF broadcast mention something about a cover off and said the airplane was trailing what appeared to be smoke from the left wing tip only. Initial examination of the airplane, which was modified to use a turboprop engine, showed the left inboard fuel cap was missing. It was found in the grass beside the departure runway.
August 31, Hilton Head Island, S.C. / Piper Malibu
At 1529 eastern time, a Piper PA-46-310P crashed while trying to return to the airport shortly after takeoff from Hilton Head Airport. The pilot and passenger were killed. The pilot took off and, four minutes later, declared an emergency on the airports common traffic advisory frequency. The pilot said he was making an immediate return. One witness heard the CTAF broadcast mention something about a cover off and said the airplane was trailing what appeared to be smoke from the left wing tip only. Initial examination of the airplane, which was modified to use a turboprop engine, showed the left inboard fuel cap was missing. It was found in the grass beside the departure runway....
Key Takeaways:
- A Piper PA-46-310P crashed shortly after takeoff from Hilton Head Airport, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and passenger.
- The pilot declared an emergency four minutes after takeoff, stating an immediate return due to an unspecified issue.
- Key findings include a missing left inboard fuel cap, found near the departure runway, and a witness report of smoke from the left wing tip, possibly related to a broadcast about a "cover off."
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