# NTSB BFO87FA004: Piper PA-28R-200, N4347X, Mount Pleasant, MD, October 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1986, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Mount Pleasant, MD
- Coordinates: 39.480247, -77.35028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4802&lon=-77.3503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA004

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON THE SECOND APCH ATTEMPT FOR ILS RWY 23 WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED- ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT THE PILOT FLEW OUTBOUND INSTEAD OF INBOUND ON THE LOCALIZER COURSE. FOR THE SECOND ATTEMPT THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR A FULL APCH FOR ILS RWY 23; WHICH REQUIRED A PROCEDURE TURN. THE PILOT LAST POSITION REPORT WAS INBOUND ON THE LOCALIZER COURSE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO SWITCH OVER TO THE AIRPORT UNICOM FREQ. RADAR DATA ON THE ACFT SHOWS THAT THE ACFT REACHED OVER THE O/M AND BEGAN TO FLY TOWARD THE WEST. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ON A SOUTHWEST HEADING ABOUT 1 MI EAST OF THE O/M. THE PILOT HAD INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RECENCY; HOWEVER HC HAD NO NIGHT FLIGHT TIME FOR AT LEAST 2.5 YRS. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOT DISCLOSED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE MALFUNCTION. SATISFACTORY OPERATION OF THE ILS WAS CONFIRMED. A PILOT WHO LANDED AT THE ARPT JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT REPORTED CLOUDS CEILING AS 650 FT MSL AND VISIBILITY AS 2 MLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4347X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4347X-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N 28R7535383 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535383
- Airframe hours: 1288
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edgar J. Barnes, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1986, 66 hours before
- Departed: IAG, NIAGARA FALLS, NY
- Destination: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FDK, Frederick, runway 23, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 650 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 35 nm away

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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