PHILLIPS, ME, USA
N91469
PIPER PA-38-112
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'STARTED TO SINK' DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH TREES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 13. ACCORDING TO AN FAA INSPECTOR, THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM THE GRASS STRIP WITH A TAILWIND. WHEN THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE WAS CALCULATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PILOT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 23 TO 25 POUNDS OVER THE MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OR CLAIM OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
On June 19, 1995, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N91469, operated by Skyhaven Flying Club Inc., collided with trees during takeoff/initial climb at Raymond's Field, Phillips, Maine. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the one passenger reported no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and the intended destination was Rochester, New Hampshire. The pilot reported that the airplane appeared to be climbing normally during initial climb, but when it reached about 60 feet above the ground the airplane "started to sink" and the left wing struck a tree off the departure end of runway 13. The aircraft rotated 180 degrees and descended to the ground. According to an FAA Safety Inspector, a witness reported that the pilot took off with a tailwind and that the engine was operating. A weather observation made at 1945 in Bangor, Maine, (located 55 nautical miles east of the accident site) recorded winds out of 040 degrees at 7 knots, and a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Examination of the accident site revealed that the pilot was taking off from a 2300 foot-long, turf strip, and the airplane was 25 pounds over the maximum certificated gross weight. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical malfunction.
the private pilot's failure to obtain/maintain altitude/clearance from obstacles during the takeoff/initial climb. Related factors are the grass/turf runway, the improper weight and balance, and the tailwind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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