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Accidents · NTSB BFO95LA067 · Final report

Piper PA-38-112 accident near Phillips, Maine, June 19, 1995

On June 19, 1995 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N91469, was destroyed in an accident near Phillips, Maine (Raymond'S Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

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, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
June 19, 1995 · about 11:30 pm local time
Place
Phillips, Maine · Raymond'S Field
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
Registration
N91469 · no longer on the register · serial 38-82A0038
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

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.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 120 hours in all
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, May 26, 1995
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 10M ME at 11:25 pm
  • Destination: 6B1 Rochester NH
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 13, 2,800 ft by 90 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 040° at 7 knots
  • Visibility: 3 statute miles
  • Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft; not recorded
  • Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
  • Observation at 4:45 am from BGR, 55 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1
Passengers1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.

Other NTSB records under N91469 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time

1984-02-01CHI84LA101 · accident near Lacon, IL · substantial damage · no injuries

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.