# NTSB IAD79FA076: Piper PA-18, N8228P, Warrenton, VA, September 8, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1979
- Place: Warrenton, VA · 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: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FA076
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA076

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2646   79/9/8    WARRENTON,VA        PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1505                    N8228P              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 58, 5500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            250 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WARRENTON AIR PK.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WARRENTON,VA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        REMARKS- PIC ATTMPTD TO FLY OVR TREELINE DURING T/O WITH GLIDER IN TOW INSTD OF CHNGING HDG TO CLEAR OBST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8228P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8228P-1981-09-25), registration cancelled 1981-09-25, S/N 18-8044 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Warrenton Air Pk.

## 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 19790908043289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790908043289A), Sep 8, 1979: Piper PA18, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Tow plane struck trees on glidertow on takeoff. Faled to ascertain airplane performance or avoid obstacle.

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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