# NTSB ATL83FA049: Piper PA-24-250, N5284P, Ocean City, MD, December 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1982, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Ocean City, MD
- Location: 38.4107° N, 75.0714° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ocean City, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4107&lon=-75.0714&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER BODIES WERE RECOVERED FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN NEAR OCEAN CITY, MD. BOTH PERSONS HAD DIED OF DROWNING WITHOUT SERIOUS TRAUMATIC INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES WERE REPORTEDIN THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND EVENING. ACCORDING TO A MEDICAL EXAMINER'S ESTIMATE, THE OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN IN THE WATER ABOUT SIX HOURS WHEN THEY WERE FOUND AT 2314 EST. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR INSTRUMENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5284P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5284P-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 24-323, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-323
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thayer, William H.
- Registered owner: Hornback, Marvin H.
- Departed: 11D, SHIPPENVILLE, PA
- Destination: 2W6, LEONARDTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY

## 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 19821202062199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821202062199A), Dec 2, 1982: Piper PA24250, Ocean City, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed in Ocean. Bodies washed ashore. Indicates loss of control in unfavorable weather.VFR pilot.

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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