# NTSB BFO89LA031: Piper PA-28-181, N1789H, Laurel, MD, April 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Laurel, MD
- Location: 39.0950° N, 76.8611° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laurel, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0950&lon=-76.8611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE ATTEMPTED SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - airspeed - inadequate (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
- Fire, standing

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE DURING THE SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AND THE ACFT TRAVELED INTO A WOODED AREA OFF THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS EVACUATED THE ACFT, A SMALL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. UNABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH HAND HELD EXTINGUISHERS, THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ACFT. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ACFT FROM ACCELERATING PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1789H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1789H-1990-10-22), registration cancelled 1990-10-22, S/N 287790341 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790341
- Airframe hours: 5257
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn I. Altman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1989, 31 hours before
- Airport: W18, Suburban, runway 3, 2,165 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 89 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 7 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 19890423009499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890423009499A), Apr 23, 1989: Piper PA28181, Laurel, MD, Destroyed. Failed accelerate on short field takeoff. Hit trees off end. Fire after crash totaled PA28. No engine 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.