# NTSB BFO87FA006: Piper PA-28-140, N5897U, Bloomington, MD, November 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1986, 15:11 local (20:11 UTC)
- Place: Bloomington, MD
- Coordinates: 39.47985, -79.080207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4798&lon=-79.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA006

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED 2 AIRCRAFT FLYING NEAR TREETOP LEVEL AND REPORTED THAT ONE APPEARED TO BE ABOUT 10 FEET BEHIND THE OTHER. THE LEAD AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES WHEN THE PILOT DELAYED HIS PULLUP TO A POINT WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER A RIDGE ON HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE BEING FLOWN BY FOREIGN PILOTS ENROLLED IN THE OPERATOR'S PART 141 FLIGHT SCHOOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5897U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5897U-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 28-26799, built 1970 (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: 2826799
- Airframe hours: 5754
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nicholson Air Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 1986, 89 hours before
- Departed: CBE, CUMBERLAND, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 72 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 54 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 19861101084249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861101084249A), Nov 1, 1986: Piper PA28140, Bloomington, MD, Substantial damage. Observed two aircraft over tree top in formation. Lead plane hit trees when pullup was delayed until clear terrain.

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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