# NTSB BFO84FA003: Piper L-21-A, N10468, Selbyville, DE, August 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1984, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Selbyville, DE
- Coordinates: 38.470684, -75.169013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4707&lon=-75.1690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO84FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO84FA003

## 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
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF TOWING BANNERS WITH NO PAX ON BOARD, THE ACFT WAS LANDED AND TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL. THE PLT THEN REENTERED THE ACFT AND AN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE GOT IN THE REAR SEAT WITH THE INTENSION OF FLYING TO A NEARBY AIRPORT FOR A PLT EXCHANGE. DURING TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO GRADUALLY CLIMB OFF THE TURF RWY TO AN ALT SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN A BUILDING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE ACTIVE RWY. IT WAS THEN SEEN TO PULL UP AND COLLIDE WITH TELEPHONE CABLES OFF THE END OF THE RWY. PWR LINES LOCATED IMMEDIATELY IN BACK OF THE CABLES DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE. TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES AND THE DENSITY ALT OF APRX 2100 FT. NO EVIDENCEOF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION WAS UNCOVERED DURING THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10468](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10468-2002-10-28), registration cancelled 2002-10-28, S/N 18-937, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER L-21-A
- Registry model: [Piper L-21A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-21a) (registry code 7101814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18937
- Airframe hours: 5885
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carmean, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 1984, 65 hours before
- Departed: SELBYVILLE, DE
- Destination: N80, OCEAN CITY, MD
- Airport: ON7, Warrington, runway 32, 2,099 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,084 total, 911 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 17 nm away

## Other investigations on N10468 (2)

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.

- [NTSB IAD75FIG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75FIG07), Oct 23, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N10468), Emmitsburg, MD, substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA69D0163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0163), Mar 23, 1969: Piper PA-18 (N10468), Edgewood, MD, substantial damage

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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