NTSB Report On Austin Airplane Attack

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Printed on : 12/27/2010 12:59:06 PM

National Transportation Safety Board NTSB ID: CEN10FA124 Aircraft Registration Number: N2889D

FACTUAL REPORT Occurrence Date: 02/18/2010 Most Critical Injury: Fatal

AVIATION Occurrence Type: Accident Investigated By: NTSB

Location/Time
Nearest City/Place State Zip Code Local Time Time Zone
Austin TX 78759 1022 CST

Airport Proximity: Distance From Landing Facility:

Aircraft Information Summary


Aircraft Manufacturer Model/Series Type of Aircraft

PIPER PA-28-236 Airplane

Revenue Sightseeing Flight: Air Medical Transport Flight: No


Narrative
Brief narrative statement of facts, conditions and circumstances pertinent to the accident/incident:
On February 18, 2010, approximately 0958 Central Standard Time, N2889D, a Piper PA-28-236
single-engine airplane, was destroyed after the pilot intentionally flew it into the side of an
office building in Austin, Texas. The private pilot and an employee who worked in the building were
killed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions
prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from the Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU), Georgetown,
Texas, at 0944.

Preliminary review of air traffic control communications and radar data revealed that after the
pilot was cleared for take off from Georgetown Airport, he proceeded southbound and climbed to an
altitude of 4,800 feet. During this time, a controller approved a radio frequency change and the
pilot responded, "Eight niner delta thanks for your help have a great day." No further
communications were made with the pilot. At 0954, the airplane was observed on radar descending
out of 4,800 feet and making a turn toward the west. At 0957, the airplane was last observed on
radar at an altitude of 1,000 feet on a southwesterly heading before the data ended.

The airplane collided with the office building between the first and second floors, and exploded on
impact. The airplane's engine, two (of three) propeller blades, and the right wing came to rest
outside of the building. The empennage came to rest on the ledge of the building and was partially
hanging over the edge. The left wing, portions of the fuselage, and a propeller blade, were found
inside the building on the second floor. The flaps were found in the fully retracted position. The
airplane was destroyed by impact and the post-impact fire.

The weather at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Austin Texas, at 0953, was reported as
calm wind, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 25,000 feet, temperature 9 degrees Celsius, dew point
1 degree Celsius, and a barometric pressure setting of 30. 24.

As this event was an intentional act, the FBI has assumed jurisdiction and control of the
investigation.
Updated on Dec 20 2010 4:02PM

FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION Page 1


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NTSB ID: CEN10FA124


National Transportation Safety Board

FACTUAL REPORT Occurrence Date: 02/18/2010

AVIATION Occurrence Type: Accident

Landing Facility/Approach Information


Airport Name Airport ID: Airport Elevation Runway Used Runway Length Runway Width

Ft. MSL

Runway Surface Type:

Runway Surface Condition:

Approach/Arrival Flown:

VFR Approach/Landing:

Aircraft Information
Aircraft Manufacturer Model/Series Serial Number
PIPER PA-28-236 28-7911227

Airworthiness Certificate(s):

Landing Gear Type:


Amateur Built Acft? No Number of Seats: 4 Certified Max Gross Wt. LBS Number of Engines: 1
Engine Type: Engine Manufacturer: Model/Series: Rated Power:
Reciprocating
- Aircraft Inspection Information
Type of Last Inspection Date of Last Inspection Time Since Last Inspection Airframe Total Time
Hours Hours

- Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Information

ELT Installed?/Type ELT Operated? ELT Aided in Locating Accident Site?

Owner/Operator Information
Registered Aircraft Owner Street Address
12407 MOPAC Expressway, #100-112
STACK JOSEPH A City State Zip Code
Austin TX 78719
Street Address
Operator of Aircraft
City State Zip Code
STACK JOSEPH A

Operator Does Business As: Operator Designator Code:


- Type of U.S. Certificate(s) Held: None
Air Carrier Operating Certificate(s):

Operating Certificate: Operator Certificate:

Regulation Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation

Type of Flight Operation Conducted: Personal

FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION Page 2


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National Transportation Safety Board NTSB ID: CEN10FA124

FACTUAL REPORT Occurrence Date: 02/18/2010

AVIATION Occurrence Type: Accident

First Pilot Information


Name City State Date of Birth Age

Sex: Seat Occupied: Occupational Pilot? Certificate Number:

Certificate(s):

Airplane Rating(s):

Rotorcraft/Glider/LTA:

Instrument Rating(s):

Instructor Rating(s):

Current Biennial Flight Review?

Medical Cert.: Medical Cert. Status: Date of Last Medical Exam:

This Make Airplane Airplane Instrument Lighter


All A/C
- Flight Time Matrix and Model Single Engine Mult-Engine
Night
Actual Simulated
Rotorcraft Glider
Than Air

Total Time
Pilot In Command(PIC)

Instructor

Instruction Received

Last 90 Days

Last 30 Days

Last 24 Hours

Seatbelt Used? Shoulder Harness Used? Toxicology Performed? Second Pilot? No

Flight Plan/Itinerary
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point State Airport Identifier Departure Time Time Zone

Destination State Airport Identifier

Type of Clearance:

Type of Airspace:

Weather Information
Source of Wx Information:

FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION Page 3


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National Transportation Safety Board NTSB ID: CEN10FA124

FACTUAL REPORT Occurrence Date: 02/18/2010

AVIATION Occurrence Type: Accident

Weather Information
WOF ID Observation Time Time Zone WOF Elevation WOF Distance From Accident Site Direction From Accident Site

Ft. MSL NM Deg. Mag.

Sky/Lowest Cloud Condition: Ft. AGL Condition of Light:

Lowest Ceiling: Ft. AGL Visibility: SM Altimeter: "Hg

Temperature: °C Dew Point: °C Weather Conditions at Accident Site:

Wind Direction: Wind Speed: Wind Gusts:

Visibility (RVR): Ft. Visibility (RVV) SM

Precip and/or Obscuration:

Accident Information
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed Aircraft Fire: Ground Aircraft Explosion Ground

- Injury Summary Matrix Fatal Serious Minor None TOTAL

First Pilot 1 1
Second Pilot

Student Pilot

Flight Instructor

Check Pilot

Flight Engineer

Cabin Attendants

Other Crew

Passengers

- TOTAL ABOARD - 1 1
Other Ground 1 1
- GRAND TOTAL - 2 2

FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION Page 4


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NTSB ID: CEN10FA124


National Transportation Safety Board

FACTUAL REPORT Occurrence Date: 02/18/2010

AVIATION Occurrence Type: Accident

Administrative Information
Investigator-In-Charge (IIC)
Leah D. Yeager

Additional Persons Participating in This Accident/Incident Investigation:

FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION Page 5

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