# NTSB BFO88LA018: Piper PA-32-300, N2816M, Churchton, MD, October 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1987, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Churchton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.790645, -76.540031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7906&lon=-76.5400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER SEARCHING UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR A WIND SOCK & GETTING NO REPLY ON UNICOM FREQ, HE MADE AN APCH TO RWY 16. LATER, HE SAW THE WIND SOCK ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE RWY NEAR A BUILDING. DRG THE APCH, HE NOTICED HE WAS HIGH & PUT THE ACFT IN A SLIP TO LOSE ALT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RWY & BEGAN A GO-AROUND. HOWEVER, ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT BEYOND THE DEP END OF THE RWY, THE LEFT WING HIT A TREE, THEN THE ACFT YAWED LEFT & CRASHED IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 240 DEG AT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2816M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2816M-1998-09-11), registration cancelled 1998-09-11, S/N 327840056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7840056
- Airframe hours: 2793
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lloyd Jones
- Registered owner: J & J Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1987
- Departed: 1N9, QUEEN CITY, PA
- Airport: OW2, Deep Creek, runway 16, 2,100 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 25 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N2816M (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 MIA97LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA065), Jan 17, 1997: Piper PA-32-300 (N2816M), Boca Raton, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Improper overhaul of the left magneto which resulted in a defect in the left magneto rotating magnet to go undetected which caused the magneto to stop rotating and break several teeth from engine…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.