# NTSB BFO90LA034: Piper PA-22-150, N8874D, Lovingston, VA, April 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1990, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Lovingston, VA
- Coordinates: 37.580959, -79.050674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5810&lon=-79.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA034

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILURE TO CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. FACTOR WAS UNFAVORABLE WIND AT TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF THE WIND WAS CALM. HOWEVER, DURING THE TAKEOFF THERE WAS A SUDDEN TAILWIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE LIFTED OFF AT 65 MPH, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB AND THE ACFT SETTLED BACK DOWN ON THE RWY. THE ACFT OVERRAN THE 1800 FT LONG-GRASS RUNWAY AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8874D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8874D-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 22-6048, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6048
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Saunders/Thomas Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1990, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 118 total, 32 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900408007659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900408007659A), Apr 8, 1990: Piper PA22150, Lovingston, VA, Substantial damage. Settled back to runway after liftoff and ran off end down embankment. Blamed a tailwind gust. Runway length 1800FT.

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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