Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Data Summary: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: CEN10FA124
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, February 18, 2010 in Austin, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/12/2011
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-236, registration: N2889D
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The 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. As this event was an intentional act, the Federal Bureau of Investigation assumed jurisdiction and control of the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s intentional flight into a building.
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.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A low-flying airplane, and the explosion that followed, shattered the calm as employees started their work day in Northwest Austin four years ago.
Smoke billowed from Echelon Building #1, tarnishing the clear blue sky above the building along U.S. 183 between MoPac and Loop 360.
At first, confusion reigned.
The single engine Piper Dakota piloted by Andrew Joseph Stack had taken off from the Georgetown Airport on Feb. 18, 2010, about 9:45 a.m.
Minutes later, Stack aimed his aircraft at the building and plowed into a suite full of offices housing dozens of Internal Revenue Service workers, at full speed.
Employees at the office conducted tax audits and investigations.
The crash killed Stack and 68-year-old Vernon Hunter, an IRS employee. Thirteen others were injured, two critically.
A few miles away, crews were battling a blaze at Stack’s two-story home in the Schofield Farms neighborhood. A fire he was suspected of setting.
It quickly became clear the crash was a deliberate attack.
Why did Stack do it?
There were signs of domestic trouble at home. Stack’s wife and 12-year-old stepdaughter had checked into a hotel the night before, after the 53-year-old had an angry outburst at home.
The morning of the attack Stack posted a suicide note on his website.
In the letter, he ripped not only the IRS, but President George W. Bush and the Catholic Church.
The aftermath
A week after the crash, engineers determined the building could be saved.
After several months and millions of dollars of repairs, the rebuilt structure reopened. The IRS no longer has offices there.
In the end, federal officials labeled what happened at the building a “criminal act”, not a case of domestic terrorism.
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