# NTSB ATL82IA287: Piper PA-28-140, N8245N, Beltsville, MD, August 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1982, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Beltsville, MD
- Coordinates: 39.030834, -76.920806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0308&lon=-76.9208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82IA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82IA287

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PRACTICE FLIGHT IN PREPARATION FOR A BFR, THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING VFR GO AROUNDS AT A CLOSED AIRPORT. ON THE SECOND CIRCUIT WHILE ON DOWNWIND, THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE AT IDLE. THE PILOTS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE AIRCRAFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND HE ELECTED TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE NOSE GEAR, RIGHT MAIN GEAR AND RIGHT WING TIP AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8245N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8245N), registered now, S/N 28-25454, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25454
- Airframe hours: 4400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nelson L. Dunnam
- Registered owner: Nelson L. Dunnam
- Departed: COLLEGE PARK, MD
- Destination: COLLEGE PARK, MD
- Airport: Beltsville Ag Center

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 606 total, 437 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19820829061849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820829061849I), Aug 29, 1982: Piper PA28140, Beltsville, MD, Minor damage. Engine quit on final. Landed short of runway. Idle adjustment set too low. Unable restart due to defective starter.

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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