# NTSB ATL81FIG09: Piper PA-28, N1548J, Annapolis, MD, March 8, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 8, 1981
- Place: Annapolis, MD · ANNAPOLIS, MD
- Location: 38.9722° N, 76.5053° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Annapolis, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9722&lon=-76.5053&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FIG09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FIG09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0315   81/3/8    ANNAPOLIS,MD        PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 17 TOTAL
        TIME - 1145                    N1548J              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, 6 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LEE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ANNAPOLIS,MD                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ANTI-ICING/DEICING EQUIPMENT-IMPROPER OPERATION OF/OR FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-CARBURETOR
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARB./INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING
           TERRAIN - OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  6500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      49
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          310                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- LNDD IN RVR SRNDD BY TREES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1548J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1548J-1983-08-02), registration cancelled 1983-08-02, S/N 28-23952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Lee

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810308008509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810308008509A), Mar 8, 1981: Piper PA28140, Annapolis, MD, Substantial damage. Engine low power on takeoff. Pilot turned down river off end runway to avoid trees. Ditched in river. Carb ice.

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.

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