# NTSB NYC97LA053: Piper PA-38-112, N2558, Nanjemoy, MD, February 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 19, 1997, 12:02 local (17:02 UTC) - Place: Nanjemoy, MD - Coordinates: 38.450805, -77.210784 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4508&lon=-77.2108&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 May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39327/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA053 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensate for the wind conditions and failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during the initial climb after takeoff. The unfavorable wind condition and proximity of trees were related factors. ## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he '...needed more power to taxi...' because the turf was soft on the field. He said he lined up for departure on runway 18 and that there were tall trees on either side of the departure end. The pilot said that at the start of the takeoff roll, he '...firewalled it. The plane started slow but during the takeoff roll it speeded up pretty good. At 56 to 57 knots I rotated. I got just to the top of the trees when I felt a gust. The airplane drifted to the left and struck a branch. The airplane cartwheeled to the left and descended through pine trees. On the way down, I noticed the windscreen was completely gone.' The pilot reported that the airplane '...wedged into pine trees.' He explained that the airplane came to rest nose down with the propeller buried approximately one foot into the turf. He said he released his seat belt and shoulder harness and '...slid right out the front over the engine cowling.' Neither the pilot reported nor did the examination of the aircraft reveal indication of mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On February 19, 1997, at 1202 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38, N2558N, was substantially damaged when it contacted trees and descended into terrain during takeoff from Parks Airpark near Nanjemoy, Maryland. The certificated private pilot reported a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The local pleasure flight originated at Parks Airpark at approximately 1200 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he "...needed more power to taxi..." because the turf was soft on the field. He said he lined up for departure on runway 18 and that there were tall trees on either side of the departure end. At the start of the takeoff roll, the pilot said he "...firewalled it. The plane started slow but during the takeoff roll it speeded up pretty good. At 56 to 57 knots I rotated. I got just to the top of the trees when I felt a gust. The airplane drifted to the left and struck a branch. The airplane cartwheeled to the left and descended through pine trees. On the way down, I noticed the windscreen was completely gone." The pilot reported that the airplane "...wedged into pine trees." He explained that the airplane came to rest nose down with the propeller buried approximately one foot into the turf. He said he released his seat belt and shoulder harness and "...slid right out the front over the engine cowling." The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. He said the airplane was "...running fine - lots of pep." An inspection of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors revealed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2558 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0912 - Airframe hours: 1999 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph Durda - Registered owner: Joseph & Betty Durda - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1997, 0 hours before - Airport: MD54, Parks Airpark, runway 18, 2,200 × 140 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,395 total, 160 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KDA, 16 nm away 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.