# NTSB BFO89FA003: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8291Z, Frederick, MD, October 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1988, 17:53 local (21:53 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Coordinates: 39.419441, -77.409057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4194&lon=-77.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA003

## Probable cause

NONSUBMITTED

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - notams - inaccurate, atc personnel(fss)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - approach charts - inaccurate
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radar,approach/departure - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DRG ARR, DULLES APCH CTL (IAD) CLRD FLT TO FREDERICK TVOR (FDK) AT 4000' & TRMTD RADAR CTL WITH HANDOFF TO BALTIMORE APCH CTL (BWI). FLT WAS CLRD FOR ILS RWY 23 APCH & TOLD TO RPRT IBND ON APCH. PROC FOR APCH WAS TO FLY OBND ON FDK 048 DEG RADIAL TO RICKE INT/OM, MAKE PROC TURN (MIN ALT 2300'), RTRN TO OM ON ILS COURSE (HDG 229 DEG, MIN ALT 1600') & INTERCEPT GLIDE PATH. HOWEVER, FLT DEPD FDK ON NORTHERLY & SOMEWHAT ERRATIC COURSE. BWI DID NOT HAVE POSITIVE RADAR CTC (RCVD ONLY 2 RTRNS DRG ARR & NO RTRNS BLO 3800'). ABEAM RICKE INT/OM, ACFT MNVRD (AS IF IN A PROC TURN). AS IT WAS TURNING BACK TWD FDK, PLT RPRTD 'PROC TURN IBND, RWY 23' & WAS CLRD TO ADZY FREQ (NO FURTHER RDO CTC WITH ACFT). ACFT THEN TURNED WEST. AFTER MNVRG ABT 8 MIN, IT HIT MTS ABT 7 MI NW OF ARPT (ELEV 1700') ON HDG TWD FDK. IAD HAD RADAR CTC &MIN SAFE ALT WARNING (MSAW) OCCURRED BFR ACDNT. IAD CTLR DIDN'T TRY ALERTING BWI OR PLT, BUT MSAW WAS AFTER PLT WAS CLRDTO ADZY FREQ. CANCELED NOTAM STILL ISSUED AS ACTIVE, BUT FDK WAS PLT'S HOME BASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8291Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8291Z-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 28R-8118022, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8118022
- Airframe hours: 3049
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald L. Spring
- Registered owner: Ronald L Spring
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 1988
- Departed: SDF, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FDK, Frederick, runway 23, 5,220 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 348 total, 348 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 28 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 19881021047679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881021047679A), Oct 21, 1988: Piper PA28RT201, Frederick, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became disoriented and erratic approach to airport. Turned into mountain. ATC advise to late for pilot.

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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