# NTSB BFO89LA035: Piper PA-25-235, N9489P, Warrenton, VA, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 12:39 local (16:39 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Location: 38.7154° N, 77.7976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warrenton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7154&lon=-77.7976&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 May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA035

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE DURING TAKEOFF AND THE DELAY IN RELEASING FROM THE TOWPLANE AFTER REALIZING THAT HE WAS CLIMBING WELL ABOVE THE TOWPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UPDRAFT ENCOUNTERED AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE OF THE GLIDER PILOT.

## 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
  - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - glider/tow release - delayed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIPER WAS TOWING A GLIDER, A SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33. DURING CLIMB ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHEN, ACCORDING TO THE TOWPLANE PLT, HIS ACFT ABRUPTLY PITCHED DOWN. THE TOWPLANE DESCENDED AND THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER IN TIME TO AVOID THE ACFT FROM STRIKING THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO THE GLIDER PLT, DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB HE ENCOUNTERED AN UPDRAFT WHICH CAUSED THE GLIDER TO ACCELERATE AND CLIMB DESPITE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE GLIDER PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE RELEASED THE TOWROPE HE HEARD A POP SOUND AND THEN THE GLIDER PITCHED UP. THE GLIDER PILOT STATED THE AIRSPEED REACHED 105 MPH AND THE GLIDER PITCHED UP TO ABOUT 50 TO 60 DEGREES. THE GLIDER REACHED ABOUT 650 AGL BEFORE IT SLOWED TO 50 MPH AFTER WHICH HE RETURNED TO LAND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE GLIDER PILOT HAD 17 HRS TOTAL TIME IN GLIDERS; HOWEVER, UNTIL THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT HE HAD NOT FLOWN GLIDERS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS. THIS WAS HIS THIRD FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND THE FIRST ONE WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR ABOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9489P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9489P-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 25-7405589, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7405589
- Airframe hours: 3135
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warrenton Soaring Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1989, 45 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,076 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,036 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

## 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 19890520012629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520012629A), May 20, 1989: Piper PA25235, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Novice glider pilot pitched up on tow. Raised tail towplane, then cut loose. Towplane nose dived to impact.

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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