# NTSB BFO87DIG08: Piper PA-28, N55757, Mitchellville, MD, July 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1987, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mitchellville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.950439, -76.730316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9504&lon=-76.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DIG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DIG08

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER CLIPPING THE TREETOPS, HE KNEW THE ACFT WAS 'GOING IN,'  SO HE PULLED THE YOKE BACK TO SLOW IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ALSO, THE PLT STATED THAT DURING LIFT-OFF, THE POINTER ON THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE GREEN ARC. HOWEVER, AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB PROPERLY, ALTHOUGH THE ENG WAS RUNNING SMOOTH & THE THROTTLE WAS AT THE FULL POWER POSITION. HE NOTED THE STALL WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, BUT HE DID NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION SINCE THE ACFT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WAS STALLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55757](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55757-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 28-7325478, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- 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: 287325478
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter Stein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ITHICA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Freeway, runway 36, 2,400 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 394 total, 62 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °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 19870731040389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870731040389A), Jul 31, 1987: Piper PA28140, Michellville, MD, Substantial damage. The aircraft failed to climb after takeoff and struck trees.

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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