Accident: Piper PA-28R
Aug 10, 2015 · Marathon, FL
NTSB numberERA15FA299Event id20150810X33043
- 1
- Fatalities
- 0
- Serious injuries
- 0
- Minor injuries
- 0
- Uninjured
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to depart on a night flight over water.
Source: National Transportation Safety Board. Record last changed Oct 28, 2026, 10:54 UTC.
Aircraft involved
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R
- Registration
- N54380
- Year built
- 1973
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rules
- Part 91: general aviation
- Defining event
- Initial climb Loss of visual reference
Source: National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database. Counts only; Voydar holds no names.
Nearest airports
Airports with a Voydar profile closest to the recorded position. Proximity only.
- Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH)1 nm (3 km) east
- Big Pine Sands STOLGround (XFT)17 nm (31 km) west
This page restates the NTSB's public record. Injury figures are counts; Voydar does not hold or publish the names of anyone involved.