# NTSB BFO85FA002: Piper PA-32R-301, N81752, Salisbury, MD, October 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1984, 20:50 local (Oct 25, 1984, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Salisbury, MD
- Coordinates: 38.37923, -75.639244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3792&lon=-75.6392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER CONTACTING MILLVILLE FSS 4 TIMES FOR WX INFO THE ACFT DEPARTED LINCOLN PARK, NY, AT 1858 EDT WITH DESTINATION LISTED ON THE IFR FLT PLAN AS EASTON, MD. EN ROUTE THE PLT DIVERTED TO SALISBURY, MD, DUE TO WX. AFTER BEING CLEARED FORTHE RWY 32 ILS THE ACFT TURNED NORTHWEST INSTEAD OF SOUTHEAST AFTER CROSSING THE VOR & DESCENDED TO BETWEEN 700 AND 900 FT MSL WHILE HEADING AWAY FROM THE ARPT. AFTER BEING REORIENTED THE PLT WAS TOLD TO REPORT AT THE COLBE LOM INBOUND. PLTPROCEEDED TO CALL COLBE WHEN ACTUALLY OVER SALISBURY VOR. N81752 CONTINUED THE APCH CONCLUDING BY STATING HE WAS CIRCLING TO LAND. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A NORTHWEST HEADING OFF THE APCH END OF RWY 32. THE PLT HAD OBTAINED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING 3 MONTHS PRIOR AND AT THAT TIME HAD LOGGED 34 INSTRUMENT HOURS AND 21 NIGHT HOURS. POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE MAJORITY OF THE FUSELAGE, HOWEVER, EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81752](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81752-1984-11-24), registration cancelled 1984-11-24, S/N 32R-8013079, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8013079
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J Blanda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1984
- Departed: N07, LINCOLN PARK, NJ
- Destination: SBY, SALISBURY, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SBY, Salisbury-Wicomico, runway 32, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 1 nm away

## 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 19841024058219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841024058219A), Oct 24, 1984: Piper PA32R301, Salisbury, MD, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Collided with trees while circling to land after ILS approach. Pilot competency a factor.

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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