At about 1354 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a high school building during takeoff initial climb. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and three passengers were killed. There were no reported ground injuries. A witness reported the airplane “used more runway than used by most of the other small aircraft during takeoff.” After takeoff, the airplane was “rocking side to side” and appeared to be “having trouble gaining altitude.” The witness further reported that the airplane “gained altitude” then “lost altitude” three or four times. He added that prior to impacting the school building, the airplane banked in a counterclockwise direction. A second witness reported the “engine was wound up” and “seemed to be running strong.”
June 11, 2010, Eagar, Ariz., Piper PA-32R-300
At about 1354 Mountain time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a high school building during takeoff initial climb. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and three passengers were killed. There were no reported ground injuries.
Key Takeaways:
- A private plane crashed into a high school building during takeoff initial climb, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and three passengers.
- Witnesses observed the aircraft using excessive runway, rocking side-to-side, and repeatedly losing and gaining altitude before impact, despite reports of the engine running strong.
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