# NTSB BFO87LA036: Beech C-24R, N18880, Chestertown, MD, May 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1987, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Chestertown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.209991, -76.070251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2100&lon=-76.0703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA036

## 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
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT, INTENDED TO PERFORM A TRIAL TAKEOFF RUN TO DETERMINE HOW THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED ON THE GRASS RUNWAY. DURING THE TRIAL RUN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRCRAFT WAS READY TO FLY AND DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH THE TAKEOFF. LIFT-OFF AT STALL SPEED OCCURRED ABOUT 3/4 DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB OR ACCELERATE OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AND STRUCK A TREE PAST THE RUNWAY END. THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT FULL POWER, THE LANDING GEAR DOWN AND FLAPS DOWN 15 DEGREES WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PILOT REALIZED, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THAT HE ATTEMPTED THE TAKEOFF DOWNWIND. THE PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED THE TAKEOFF WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY BECAUSE OF AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18880](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18880-1990-02-14), registration cancelled 1990-02-14, S/N MC520 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-520
- Airframe hours: 1492
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brim Rose Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1986
- Destination: MTN, BALTIMORE, MD
- Airport: Flying Acres, runway 18, 2,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,919 total, 102 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870512012869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870512012869A), May 12, 1987: Beech C24R, Chestertown, MD, Substantial damage. Lifted off runway at stall speed. Flew in ground effect. Using full power. Hit trees off end of runway.

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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