# NTSB BFO87DIG03: Piper PA-28-161, N8149P, Frederick, MD, May 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1987, 18:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Location: 39.4170° N, 77.3747° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FREDERICK MUNI (FDK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4170&lon=-77.3747&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DIG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11270/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DIG03

## 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
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO TURN TO THE LEFT. HE APPLIEDRIGHT AILERON AND RAISED THE NOSE TO CLEAR PARKED AIRCRAFT BUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN AUTOMOBILE THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A HANGAR AND THEN STRUCK THE HANGAR DOOR. A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT AND MOST OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND HANGAR. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8149P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288016252
- Airframe hours: 4273
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: International Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gerald J Hamilla
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1987, 57 hours before
- Airport: FDK, Frederick Municipal, runway 10, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 2 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870506012379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870506012379A), May 6, 1987: Piper PA28161, Frederick, MD, Destroyed. On initial climb left wing dropped struck parked auto and hangar. Fires destroyed aircraft and auto. No anomalies.

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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