# NTSB BFO85LA058: Piper PA-24-260, N8577P, Middletown, DE, July 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1985, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, DE
- Coordinates: 39.450263, -75.7098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4503&lon=-75.7098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - soft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 350 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT ABRUPTLY. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 15 DEGREES EAST OF THE ACFT'S HEADING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID PWR LINES NEAR THE FIELD, THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. AFTER CONTACT WITH THE WIRES, WITNESS CONCUR THAT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO RAISE THE NOSE OF THE ACFT, BEFORE THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY THE BOTTOM NOSE SECTION COWLING, NEAR THE NOSE WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD PIVOTED ALMOST 180 DEGREES, AND BOUNCED BACKWARD THROUGH THE AIR APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8577P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8577P), registered now, S/N 24-4034, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4034
- Airframe hours: 4297
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baptist Bible Church, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1985, 8 hours before
- Departed: N92, MIDDLETOWN, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,477 total, 106 in this make and model, 1,413 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 12 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 19850713031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850713031099A), Jul 13, 1985: Piper PA24260, Middletown, DE, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Hit wires trying for open field. Leveled prior ground impact. Wing hit bounced backwards.

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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