# NTSB ATL83FIG04: Piper PA-32-260, N4823T, Laurel, MD, May 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1983, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Laurel, MD
- Location: 39.0950° N, 76.8611° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laurel, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0950&lon=-76.8611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FIG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FIG04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STARTED A GO-AROUND AFTER THE ACFT HAD PROGRESSED OVER HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY IN THE AIR. WHEN FULL POWER WAS APPLIED THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. THE PILOT CHANGED FUEL TANKS, LOWERED THE NOSE AND LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN THE TOPS OF TREES. UPON TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE, A VERY MINOR AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE BOOST PUMP, SELECTOR VALVE, FUEL STRAINER, ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4823T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4823T), registered now, S/N 32-7200025, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7200017
- Airframe hours: 5001
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon Royal Shade
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1983, 934 hours before
- Departed: MRB, MARTINSBURG, WV
- Airport: W18, Suburban, runway 3, 2,165 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,874 total, 2,020 in this make and model, 2,704 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## Other investigations on N4823T (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 FTW95LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA275), Jul 1, 1995: Piper PA-32-260 (N4823T), Farmington, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO VERIFY THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION AND THE RESULTANT FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS.

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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