Piper PA-38-112 accident near Nanjemoy, Maryland, February 19, 1997
On February 19, 1997 at about 5:02 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2558, was substantially damaged in an accident near Nanjemoy, Maryland (Parks Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensate for the wind conditions and failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during the initial climb after takeoff. The unfavorable wind condition and proximity of trees were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 19, 1997 · about 5:02 pm local time
- Place
- Nanjemoy, Maryland · Parks Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N2558 · registry record · serial 38-79A0912
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he '...needed more power to taxi...' because the turf was soft on the field. He said he lined up for departure on runway 18 and that there were tall trees on either side of the departure end. The pilot said that at the start of the takeoff roll, he '...firewalled it. The plane started slow but during the takeoff roll it speeded up pretty good. At 56 to 57 knots I rotated. I got just to the top of the trees when I felt a gust. The airplane drifted to the left and struck a branch. The airplane cartwheeled to the left and descended through pine trees. On the way down, I noticed the windscreen was completely gone.' The pilot reported that the airplane '...wedged into pine trees.' He explained that the airplane came to rest nose down with the propeller buried approximately one foot into the turf. He said he released his seat belt and shoulder harness and '...slid right out the front over the engine cowling.' Neither the pilot reported nor did the examination of the aircraft reveal indication of 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: 3,395 hours in all; 160 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,999 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 19, 1997; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,200 ft by 140 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.