Piper Comanche Down In Fernandina Beach

The NTSB is investigating Sunday's fatal accident involving a Piper Comanche in Fernandina Beach (FL). Two people were killed in the accident shortly after take-off.

Airport workers said the aircraft was headed to Burlington (NC) when it abruptly turned back toward the field. "The aircraft took off, made a turn, then proceeded to crash on the field," Fernandina Beach Police Department Detective David Bishop told a local television station. The victims, a couple in their 40s, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The aircraft was registered to Light Wing LLC of Wilmington (DE).

FAA Preliminary Accident Report

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 14A        Make/Model: PA30      Description: PA-30/39 Twin Comanche, Twin Comanche CR
  Date: 04/04/2004     Time: 0217

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Unknown

LOCATION
  City: FERNANDINA BEACH            State: FL   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  ACFT DEPARTED, ATTEMPTED TO RETURN, CRASHED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, TWO
  PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, FERNANDINA BEACH, FL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   2
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   1     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:    1     Fat:   1     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:           Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: KJAX 041956 26015G22KT 10SM FEW250 25/01 A2980   

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Take-off      Operation: General Aviation

  Departed: FERNANDINA BEACH, FL        Dep Date:    Dep. Time:     
  Destination: BURLINGTON, NC           Flt Plan: IFR          Wx Briefing: Y
  Last Radio Cont: NONE
  Last Clearance: NONE

  FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL  (SO15)                   Entry date: 04/05/2004

FMI: www.ntsb.gov