# NTSB BFO86FA037: Piper PA-28-140, N6959W, Edgewater, MD, June 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1986, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Edgewater, MD
- Coordinates: 38.899246, -76.540718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8992&lon=-76.5407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA037

## 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 - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL DURING TAKEOFF RUN BUT STARTED TO LOSE POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 30 AT LEE AIRPORT, ANNAPOLIS, MD. THE RUNWAY IS 2400 FEET LONG AND BEARDS CREEK IS LOCATED ABOUT 200 FEET OFF ITS DEPARTURE END. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A STEEP 180 DEGREE RIGHT TURN OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WITH THE RIGHT WING CONTACTING THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE. ALTHOUGH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MALFUNCTIONS, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT WAS KNOWN TO FREQUENTLY USE AUTO FUEL IN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN APPROVED TO USE UNLEADED AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH STC SA802GL. THE PLTS PLT LOG BOOKS WERE NOT RECOVERED FOR FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6959W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6959W-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 28-21152, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21152
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Leo Lear
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1985
- Destination: WOO, MITCHELLVILLE, MD
- Airport: ANP, Lee Airport, runway 30, 2,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 15 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 19860617087139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860617087139A), Jun 17, 1986: Piper STCPA14, Anapolis, MD, Destroyed. Trying to return to the runway after engine failure on takeoff. The aircraft hit the ground. Run up not accomplished

## Other investigations on N6959W (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 NYC68D0365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0365), Jan 20, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N6959W), Flushing, NY, 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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