# NTSB BFO86LA017: Piper PA-28-161, N8167R, Elkton, MD, March 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1986, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Elkton, MD
- Coordinates: 39.600067, -75.820159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6001&lon=-75.8202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - wet
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PWR DURING CRUISE. THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT CARB HEAT WAS APPLIED AFTER THE INITIAL PWR LOSS WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN RPM. HE SUBSEQUENTLY APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. THE ENGINE WAS LATER TEST-RUN, AND IT REPORTEDLY DEVELOPED CLOSE TO FULL PWR.                                                            .

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8167R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8167R-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 28-8016280, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016280
- Airframe hours: 510
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bridgeport Aero, Inc
- Registered owner: David Marvin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 15, 1985, 24 hours before
- Departed: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Destination: N83, BRIDGEPORT, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 54 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 14 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 19860302083999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860302083999A), Mar 2, 1986: Piper PA28161, Elkton, MD, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Used carb heat. No help. Landed soybean field. Engine tested normal. Applied heat too late.

## Other investigations on N8167R (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 BFO90LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA056), Jun 16, 1990: Piper PA-28-161 (N8167R), Chester, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISIDENTIFICATION OF A ROAD FOR THE RUNWAY. FACTORS WERE SUNGLARE AND THE PILOT'S UNFAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT, AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

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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