MIA98LA103

Factual narrative

On March 22, 1998, about 1650 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2321D, registered to Tampa Flying Service, Inc., crashed during takeoff at the Peter O. Knight Airport, Tampa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that he initiated a takeoff from runway 35 with the wind from 310 degrees at 7-10 knots. After becoming airborne, the airplane began drifting to the left and collided with a hangar about 25 feet above ground level. According to a witness who was near the airport, he observed the airplane during the takeoff roll then during the initial climb. During that time the airplane entered a left bank of about 25-30 degrees with the nose-up attitude increasing. He then lost sight of the airplane and noted the damage to the top portion of the hangar. During the initial climb after lift-off, the airplane drifted to the left and collided with the roof of a hangar about 25 feet above ground level. A witness, who observed the takeoff, reported that during the initial climb, the airplane banked to the left about 25 to 30 degrees with the pitch up attitude increasing. The witness then lost sight of the airplane and noted damage to the top of the hangar. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12