# NTSB BFO88LA005: Piper PA-28R-200, N55936, Dares Beach, MD, October 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1987, 14:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: Dares Beach, MD
- Coordinates: 38.470958, -76.499923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4710&lon=-76.4999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11386/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 2000' & PROCEEDING APRX 3 TO 4 MI OUT OVER THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, THE OIL TEMP BEGAN TO RISE & THE OIL PRESSURE DECREASED. HE TURNED TOWARD LAND, BUT THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A SWAMPY AREA NEAR THE BEACH. THE ENG WAS DAMAGED BY IMPACT & FIRE. AN EXAM REVEALED THE #3 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED & PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENG CASE. NO SPECIFIC REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE INITIAL LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55936](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55936-1990-08-16), registration cancelled 1990-08-16, S/N 28R7335315 (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-7335315
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Darling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987
- Departed: 2W6, ST MARY'S CTY, MD
- Destination: 0W7, CHESTERTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 428 total, 12 in this make and model, 311 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 15 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 19871010059379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871010059379A), Oct 10, 1987: Piper PA28R200, Dares Beach, MD, Substantial damage. On climbout. Oil temp rise pressure prop. Lost power. Landed in swamp. NR3 connecting rod failed. Put hole in case.

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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