# NTSB BFO95LA067: Piper PA-38-112, N91469, Phillips, ME, June 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1995, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Phillips, ME - Location: 44.8231° N, 70.3395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Phillips, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8231&lon=-70.3395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9058/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA067 ## Probable cause the private pilot's failure to obtain/maintain altitude/clearance from obstacles during the takeoff/initial climb. Related factors are the grass/turf runway, the improper weight and balance, and the tailwind. ## 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 - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'STARTED TO SINK' DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH TREES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 13. ACCORDING TO AN FAA INSPECTOR, THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM THE GRASS STRIP WITH A TAILWIND. WHEN THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE WAS CALCULATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PILOT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 23 TO 25 POUNDS OVER THE MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OR CLAIM OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1995, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N91469, operated by Skyhaven Flying Club Inc., collided with trees during takeoff/initial climb at Raymond's Field, Phillips, Maine. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the one passenger reported no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and the intended destination was Rochester, New Hampshire. The pilot reported that the airplane appeared to be climbing normally during initial climb, but when it reached about 60 feet above the ground the airplane "started to sink" and the left wing struck a tree off the departure end of runway 13. The aircraft rotated 180 degrees and descended to the ground. According to an FAA Safety Inspector, a witness reported that the pilot took off with a tailwind and that the engine was operating. A weather observation made at 1945 in Bangor, Maine, (located 55 nautical miles east of the accident site) recorded winds out of 040 degrees at 7 knots, and a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Examination of the accident site revealed that the pilot was taking off from a 2300 foot-long, turf strip, and the airplane was 25 pounds over the maximum certificated gross weight. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91469](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91469-1996-02-22), registration cancelled 1996-02-22, S/N 3882A0038 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-82A0038 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skyhaven Flying Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1995 - Departed: 10M, ME - Destination: 6B1, ROCHESTER, NH - Airport: 10M, Raymond'S Field, runway 13, 2,800 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 55 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 19950619043549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950619043549A), Jun 19, 1995: Piper PA38112, Phillips, ME, Substantial damage. Struck trees on climbout. Over gross weight. Short strip. Hot day. Downwind reported factors. ## Other investigations on N91469 (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI84LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA101), Feb 1, 1984: Piper PA38-112 (N91469), Lacon, IL, substantial damage 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.