Piper PA-28-140 accident near Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, September 10, 2005
On September 10, 2005 at about 3:10 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N6777W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marstons Mills, Massachusetts (Cape Cod Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to attain a climb during takeoff which resulted in a diminished climb rate and subsequent collision with trees. Factors were the turf runway and a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 10, 2005 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Marstons Mills, Massachusetts · Cape Cod Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N6777W · no longer on the register · serial 28-20905
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff, the airplane struck trees at the end of the 2,700-foot-long runway. The pilot reported that the engine might have lost partial power during the takeoff; however, a subsequent full-power test run of the accident engine was successfully completed. In addition, a witness reported that the airplane lifted off at a high angle of attack, and settled back to the ground. The airplane then lifted off again, and flew in ground effect at a high angle of attack, before striking the trees at the end of the runway. The accident takeoff was attempted on a turf runway, with a quartering tailwind. Although the airplane was operated within weight and performance limitations, the performance charts did not factor a tailwind or turf runway.
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: 861 hours in all; 839 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 818 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,663 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2005; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2B1 Martons Mills MA at 3:10 pm
- Destination: PYM Plymouth MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,700 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from FMH, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.
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.