# NTSB BFO91LA004: Piper PA-28-140, N4167J, Amelia, VA, October 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1990, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Amelia, VA
- Coordinates: 37.339973, -77.960968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3400&lon=-77.9610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND HIS INTERE UPHILL RUNWAY AND TAILWIND.

## 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
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF ON AN UPHILL 1800 FT LONG RWY. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT TOOK OFF DOWNWIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF BUT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS IT BEGAN TO SETTLE BACK DOWN BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND STRUCK TREES. THE PLT REPORTED THE ENGINE RAN THE ENTIRE TIME. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4167J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4167J-1994-06-27), registration cancelled 1994-06-27, S/N 2822501 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis F. Harrup, Jr
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: W98, CHESTERFIELD, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC

## 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 19901020046599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901020046599A), Oct 20, 1990: Piper PA28140, Amelia, VA, Destroyed. Tried takeoff short strip uphill downwind. Settled after liftoff beyond end of runway into trees.

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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