# NTSB BFO86FA042: Piper PA-30, N31AB, Bowleys Qrtrs, MD, August 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1986, 18:52 local (22:52 UTC)
- Place: Bowleys Qrtrs, MD
- Coordinates: 39.330432, -76.430511 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3304&lon=-76.4305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 14, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

DRG ARR, TRACON GAVE THE PLT THE ARPT WX & PROVIDED VECTORS FOR AN ILS RWY 32 APCH. THE PLT INQUIRED ABOUT A CELL THAT HE UNDERSTOOD WAS OVER THE ARPT & WAS ADVISED TO STANDBY WHILE THE CONTROLLER (CTLR) CHECKED ON IT. THE CTLR CONTACTED TWR PSNL WHO ADZD THE VIS WAS 1 MI IN HVY RAIN, BUT THE PLT WAS GIVEN A FREQ CHG BFR THE INFO WAS PASSED ON TO HIM. HOW-EVER, THE FINAL CTLR ADZD HIM OF THE CELL WHICH WAS OVR THE NDB. THE NDB WAS 1.6 MI FM RWY 32, ALONG THE ILS COURSE. THEPLT ELECTED TO CONT THE APCH & WAS CLRD TO TWR FREQ. AS THE ACFT APCHD THE NDB, RADAR SHOWED IT WAS OFF COURSE. THE TWR CTLR TRIED TO GIVE THE PLT CLIMB-OUT INSTRNS, BUT THE PLT DECLINED THEM & SAID HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE CTLG THE ACFT. THE PLT'S LAST TRANSMISSION WAS TO ACKNOWLEDGE HE WOULD TURN 180 DEG TO ABANDON THE APCH. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT COME OUT OF CLOUDS IN A STEEP DIVE & CRASH ABOUT 1 MI FM THE ARPT IN 10' TO 15' OF WATER BFR RECOVERING. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FND. A WX STUDY SHOWED CLOUD BASES AT 700' & WX ECHOS OF AT LEAST MOD INTENSITY (VIP LVL 2).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31AB-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 30-743, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-743
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur Benjamin
- Registered owner: Adb Engineers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Destination: MTN, BALTIMORE, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MTN, Glenn L. Martin State, runway 32, 8,100 × 180 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,151 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 16 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 19860817040229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860817040229A), Aug 17, 1986: Piper PA30, Baltimore, MD, Destroyed, 3 fatal. On approach advised of thunderstorms. Off course. ATC tried give go around but pilot had lost control. Crashed.

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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