Piper PA-28-140 accident near Brogue, Pennsylvania, May 2, 2013
On May 2, 2013 at about 2:33 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N33677, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Brogue, Pennsylvania (Baublitz Commercial Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a power line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2013 · about 2:33 pm local time
- Place
- Brogue, Pennsylvania · Baublitz Commercial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N33677 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7525225
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the flight instructor (CFI), while demonstrating a grass strip departure to a student pilot, he stated that he taxied to a grass strip runway. He instructed the student pilot to conduct the takeoff. The student pilot advanced the throttle and according to the CFI; full takeoff power was achieved. Approximately half way down the runway the airspeed reached minimum rotation speed. The CFI stated that the runway began to upslope. The airspeed increased at a reduced rate, but the engine continued to operate normally. When the airplane reached the top of the slope, airspeed increased to 60 mph and the CFI called out “rotate”. The CFI assisted the student pilot with the rotation. The climbout was normal according to the CFI and the airplane struck a power line approximately 150 feet from the end of the runway 28. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the airframe. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 19,003 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,733 as pilot in command; 42 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 17, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,246 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 2013; 63 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kitchen Holdings INC
The flight
- Departed from: PW8 Brogue PA at 2:15 pm
- Destination: PW8 Brogue PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,493 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from 9W8
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 3, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-STONE | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | CFI Statement-stone | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation-cfi | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 1-FRONT View of Wreckage | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 2-REAR View of Airplane | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.