# NTSB BFO85FA048: Rockwell 112B, N1417J, Woodbridge, VA, May 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1985, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Woodbridge, VA
- Coordinates: 38.680786, -77.309799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6808&lon=-77.3098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA048

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON MAY 26,1985,AT APPROXIMATELY 1240 HRS EDT,A ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL COMMANDER 1120,N1417J,COLLIDED WITH TREES AFT TKOF FM WOODBRIDGE ARPT IN WOODBRIDGE,VA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED DRNG THE POST IMPACT FIRE AND THE PUT PLT AND 4 PAX ALL SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. WITNESSES CONCUR THAT THE PLANE APPEARED TO BRUSH THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE LOCATED ABT 400FT OFF AND TO THE LEFT OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 01 DRNG INITIAL CLIMBOUT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A 50 FOOT CLIMB AFT WHICH THE ACFT BEGAN A SLIPPING LEFT TURN WITH AN INCREASING BANK ANGLE UNTIL IT DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE CALCULATED GROSS WT OF THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF TKOF WAS ABT 3021 POUNDS,THE CERTIFICATED MAX GROSS WT OF THE ACFT IS 2800 POUNDS. THE LENGTH OF RWY 01 AT WOODBRIDGE ARPT IS 2250FT AND THE RECORDED TEMPERATURE AT TIME OF TKOF WAS 83 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1417J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1417J-2015-04-28), registration cancelled 2015-04-28, S/N 532 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell 112B
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112B](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112b) (registry code 7630303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 532
- Airframe hours: 1277
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert E. Ewing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1985
- Departed: W22, WOODBRIDGE, VA
- Destination: MQI, MANTEO, NC
- Airport: W22, Woodbridge, runway 1, 2,250 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 493 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 67 nm away

## 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 19850526020619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850526020619A), May 26, 1985: Gulstm 112B, Woodbridge, VA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Brushed tree tops on climbout. Nosed up and stalled into trees. Overgross weight and density altitude factors.

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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