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NTSB Report
July 31, 1987 · Piper PA-28 · N55757
Mitchellville, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Mitchellville, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N55757
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO87DIG08
DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER CLIPPING THE TREETOPS, HE KNEW THE ACFT WAS 'GOING IN,' SO HE PULLED THE YOKE BACK TO SLOW IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ALSO, THE PLT STATED THAT DURING LIFT-OFF, THE POINTER ON THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE GREEN ARC. HOWEVER, AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB PROPERLY, ALTHOUGH THE ENG WAS RUNNING SMOOTH & THE THROTTLE WAS AT THE FULL POWER POSITION. HE NOTED THE STALL WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, BUT HE DID NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION SINCE THE ACFT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WAS STALLING.
Full Narrative
DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER CLIPPING THE TREETOPS, HE KNEW THE ACFT WAS 'GOING IN,' SO HE PULLED THE YOKE BACK TO SLOW IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ALSO, THE PLT STATED THAT DURING LIFT-OFF, THE POINTER ON THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE GREEN ARC. HOWEVER, AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB PROPERLY, ALTHOUGH THE ENG WAS RUNNING SMOOTH & THE THROTTLE WAS AT THE FULL POWER POSITION. HE NOTED THE STALL WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, BUT HE DID NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION SINCE THE ACFT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WAS STALLING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest AirportFREEWAY (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN55757
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO