AOPA’S AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES EARLY ANALYSIS: BLACK HOLE DEPARTURE VIDEO VENICE, FLORIDA

On April 5, 2023, a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance descended into the Gulf of Mexico during the initial climb after takeoff from Runway 23 at Venice Municipal Airport in Venice, Florida. Sadly, all four people on board the airplane perished in the accident.

Earlier that day, the Piper Lance had flown from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida, to Venice Municipal Airport. The accident occurred during the return flight at night to St. Petersburg. The weather was VFR with 10 miles visibility, calm winds, and a clear sky.

“In Early Analysis: Black Hole Departure—Venice, Florida, the AOPA Air Safety Institute wants to help pilots understand what is known about the accident as we look at factors that are likely to be a subject of the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board," said AOPA's ASI Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden.

McSpadden continued, “The NTSB issued a preliminary report that offers us a chance to take a look at what are called ‘black hole’ departures. According to the report, the airplane took off over dark water with no discernable horizon, then began a shallow climb and a right turn.”

“It seems possible that this is a classic spatial disorientation accident due to somatogravic illusion, triggered by accelerating in situations without good visual references,” McSpadden concluded.

Early Analysis videos provide an initial assessment of prominent mishaps that generate large public interest and may indicate important safety lessons for the general aviation community.

View the video here.

View other Early Analysis videos here.