# Accident 20260629012609A: Piper PA-28-161, Easton, MD, June 29, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 29, 2026, 12:45 local time
- Place: Easton, MD
- Airport: Easton/Newnam Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Location: 38.8069° N, 76.0701° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8069&lon=-76.0701&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8394D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8394D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-161 (registry code 7102803, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 314 total, 173 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA262) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260629012609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AFTER FIRST FLIGHT, PARKED AT RAMP AND SHUTDOWN AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. AFTER PREFLIGHT, INITIATED BEFORE START CHECKLIST, ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE, NO START. ATTEMPTED TWO OTHER TIMES WITH A NO START, AFTER THIRD ATTEMPT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE AREA. AFTER A FEW SECONDS ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE ONE MORE TIME WHEN MORE SMOKE SHOWED IN DARKER COLOR. PIC AND TWO STUDENTS DEPLANED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AIRCRAFT ENGINE AREA WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FIRE AND WAS EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA26LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA262), Jun 29, 2026: Piper PA-28-161 (N8394D), Easton, MD, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N8394D (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19900218003269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900218003269A), Feb 18, 1990: Piper PA28161 (N8394D), Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Left main landing gear collapsed on taxi for takeoff. Attach bolts sheared.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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