# NTSB BFO85FA068: Piper PA-20-125, N7372K, Culpeper, VA, August 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1985, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Culpeper, VA
- Coordinates: 38.470325, -78.00061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4703&lon=-78.0006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11140/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - stabilator trim - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
- Fire/explosion, other

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE TAKEOFF ROLL BEGAN ABOUT 2000 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 2300 FT SOD RWY. THE A/C LIFTED OFF FROM A 3-POINT ATTITUDE AND CLIMBED AT A HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK, 'MUSHING ALONG' UNTIL IT FELL OFF ON THE RT WING AND STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 300 FT BYND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE STABILIZER TRIM WAS SET TO 2/3 OF ITS FULL NOSE UP TRAVEL. PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS REVEALED THAT 2100 FT IS REQ'D TO CLEAR A 50 FT OBSTACLE FROM A LEVEL, DRY, PAVED RWY. PILOT IN COMMAND WAS FORMER NAVAL AVIATOR WHO HAD BEEN AN AIRLINE PLT SINCE 1967. HOWEVER, HE HAD FLOWN AS A B-727 FLIGHT ENGINEER DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. THE OWNER OF N7372K ESTIMATED THAT THE PLT HAD FLOWN THE A/C ABOUT 50 HRS DURING THE PRECEEDING FEW MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7372K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7372K-1988-08-15), registration cancelled 1988-08-15, S/N 20281 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-281
- Airframe hours: 1865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stewart Eames
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1984, 25 hours before
- Destination: W93, ORANGE, VA
- Airport: VA30, Berryvale, runway 20, 2,300 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 35 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 19850813038439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850813038439A), Aug 13, 1985: Piper PA20, Culpepper, VA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Began takeoff 300 ft near end runway. Early liftoff. Stalled. Impacted. Trim full nose up. Ex airline flight engine

## Other investigations on N7372K (1)

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 FTW71FPA14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FPA14), Nov 26, 1970: Piper PA-20 (N7372K), Lancaster, TX, 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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