# NTSB NYC02LA073: Annis Fisher FP-202, N4348V, Parksley, VA, March 16, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 2002, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Parksley, VA - Coordinates: 37.77935, -75.649536 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7794&lon=-75.6495&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 August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54372/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54372 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the soft wet runway. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot completed the engine run up checks, and then taxied the homebuilt airplane onto the 1,100-foot grass runway. He advanced the throttle, and the engine responded normally. The pilot released the brakes, and the airplane started to accelerate. During the ground roll, the pilot noticed no change in engine noise or rpm, but felt the airplane was accelerating slower than normal, which he contributed to the fact it had rained the day before, making the ground soft and the grass wet. Even with the reduced acceleration, he felt he could safely continue the takeoff. The airplane lifted off about 2/3 down the runway, striking some power lines during the initial climb, and then impacted the ground. The pilot reported he experienced no preimpact failures or malfunctions with the airplane, and that the airplane normally utilizes 300 to 500 feet of runway before lifting off. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 2002, about 1640 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Fisher FP-202, N4348V, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground after striking wires during takeoff from a private airstrip near Parksley, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was destined for Crisfield Municipal Airport (W41), Crisfield, Maryland. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he boarded the airplane, started the engine, and taxied short of a 1,100-foot grass runway. He completed the engine run up checks, and then taxied onto the runway for an east departure. The pilot advanced the throttle and the engine responded normally, with the engine RPM stabilizing around 6,100. The pilot released the brakes, and the airplane started to accelerate. During the ground roll, the pilot noticed no change in engine noise or rpm, but felt the airplane was accelerating slower than normal. He contributed the slower acceleration to the fact it had rained the day before, making the ground soft and the grass wet. Even with the reduced acceleration, the pilot felt he could safely continue the takeoff. The airplane lifted off about 2/3 down the runway. On initial climb, the airplane struck a set of power lines, which caused the nose to pitch down. The pilot applied left rudder to avoid hitting a house, and the airplane struck the ground in an open area. The pilot reported that he experienced no preimpact failures or malfunctions with the airplane. In addition, he contributed the accident to his decision to continue the takeoff, and the increased ground roll caused by the soft runway conditions. The pilot added that normally the airplane used 300 to 500 feet of runway before becoming airborne. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4348V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4348V-2002-07-10), registration cancelled 2002-07-10, S/N 2337, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Annis Fisher FP-202 - Registry model: [Annis Wilson L FISHER FP202](https://openairdocs.org/model/annis-wilson-l-fisher-fp202) (registry code 05618KT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2337 - Airframe hours: 130 - Engines: Rotax 447 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincent Jordan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE, Parksley, VA - Destination: W41, Crisfield, MD - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 110, 1,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 8, 2001; seat: single; flight hours: 8,700 total, 47 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: ORF, 68 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 20020316004699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020316004699A), Mar 16, 2002: Amtr FP202KOALA, Parksly, VA, No damage. (-23) On March 16, 2002, N4348V hit an electrical power line on take off. The aircraft was destroyed. According to the pilot, the take off was normal, except… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54372. 636 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 440 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40155443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 4, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Redacted.PDF 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.