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NTSB Report
July 13, 1985 · Piper PA-24-260 · N8577P
Middletown, DE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Middletown, DE
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N8577P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA058
FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 350 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT ABRUPTLY. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 15 DEGREES EAST OF THE ACFT'S HEADING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID PWR LINES NEAR THE FIELD, THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. AFTER CONTACT WITH THE WIRES, WITNESS CONCUR THAT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO RAISE THE NOSE OF THE ACFT, BEFORE THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY THE BOTTOM NOSE SECTION COWLING, NEAR THE NOSE WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD PIVOTED ALMOST 180 DEGREES, AND BOUNCED BACKWARD THROUGH THE AIR APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET BEFORE COMING TO REST.
Full Narrative
FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 350 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT ABRUPTLY. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 15 DEGREES EAST OF THE ACFT'S HEADING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID PWR LINES NEAR THE FIELD, THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. AFTER CONTACT WITH THE WIRES, WITNESS CONCUR THAT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO RAISE THE NOSE OF THE ACFT, BEFORE THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY THE BOTTOM NOSE SECTION COWLING, NEAR THE NOSE WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD PIVOTED ALMOST 180 DEGREES, AND BOUNCED BACKWARD THROUGH THE AIR APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET BEFORE COMING TO REST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN8577P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-E4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC