# NTSB BFO88FA003: Cessna 172H, N9WB, Indian Head, MD, October 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1987, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Indian Head, MD
- Coordinates: 38.590698, -77.149009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5907&lon=-77.1490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, unknown
  - suicide - performed, unqualified person (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, unqualified person
  - impairment(alcohol), unqualified person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY. A NOTE WAS FOUND IN HIS AUTOMOBILE THAT SHOWED HE INTENDED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. A REVOLVER WAS FOUND AT THE CRASH SCENE WITH A SPENT CARTRIDGE UNDER THE HAMMER. POSTMORTEM STUDIES SHOWED THE PILOT DIED FROM A GUNSHOT TO THE HEAD. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.11%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9WB-1990-03-21), registration cancelled 1990-03-21, S/N 17255538 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255538
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frederick C. Newlan
- Registered owner: Frederick C Newlan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1987
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAA, 7 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 19871016059879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871016059879A), Oct 16, 1987: Cessna 172H, Indian Head, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Intoxicated pilot stole aircraft. Shot himself in Head. Crashed. Revolver in aircraft. Suicide note in his auto.

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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