# NTSB ATL83LA125: Rockwell 112A, N1461J, Chestertown, MD, March 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1983, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Chestertown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.21075, -76.069274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2107&lon=-76.0693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA125

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED BACK TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY DURING TAKEOFF AND STRUCK AN OLD STANCHION USED FOR RUNWAY LIGHTS. THE PILOT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE AND ELECTED TO RE-LAND THE AIRCRAFT. THE LANDING GEAR HAD ALREADY BEEN RAISED, SO THE LANDING WAS GEAR-UP. THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED, BUT THE OCCUPANTS WERE ININJURED. THE RUNWAY WAS SOD AND SOFT FROM RAIN. THE TAKEOFF HAD BEEN STARTED ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 3300 FOOT RUNWAY TO AVIOD A MUDDY AREA OF THE STRIP. ANTICIPATING SOME TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD THE PILOT RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR EARLY. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH A 300 HP ENGINE (MACHEN CONVERSION) IN PLACE OF THE 200 HP STANDARD ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1461J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1461J), registered now, S/N 461, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 112A
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112a) (registry code 7630302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 461
- Airframe hours: 1370
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis J. Mccabe
- Registered owner: Sunburst Aviation,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1983, 10 hours before
- Destination: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Airport: PVT, Pondview, runway 36R, 3,300 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,088 total, 150 in this make and model, 911 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830303004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830303004999A), Mar 3, 1983: Gulstm 112A, Chestertown, MD, Destroyed. Tried to takeoff on wet soggy short field. Settled after liftoff. Hit light stanchion. Aborted. Crashed gear up.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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