# NTSB BFO89LA021: Piper PA-38-112, N9378T, Gingerville, MD, March 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 20:26 local (Mar 12, 1989, 01:26 UTC)
- Place: Gingerville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.990139, -76.550056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9901&lon=-76.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING EN ROUTE THAT RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO STOP AND REFUEL THE AIRPLANE AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLOWN FROM PITTSBURG, PA, TO CARROLLTON, OH, WHERE IT WAS TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL. THE PLT STATED THAT THE NEXT INTENDED STOP WAS ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, HOWEVER, THE PLT DECIDED EN ROUTE TO CONTINUE TO OCEAN CITY, NJ. AFTER PASSING WOODBINE, NJ, EN ROUTE TO OCEAN CITY, THE PLT DECIDED TO RETURN TO WOODBINE FOR FUEL. AFTER LANDING IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE AIRPORT WAS CLOSED AND FUEL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FLT WAS THEN CONTINUED TO THE FINAL DESTINATION OF COLLEGE PARK, MD. THE PLT FLEW TO ANNAPOLIS, MD. WHICH HE WAS USING AS A REFERENCE POINT THEN NORTHWEST TO COLLEGE PARK. UNABLE TO LOCATE COLLEGE PARK, THE PLT RETURNED TO ANNAPOLIS AND INFORMED ATC THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. ATC ISSUED VECTORS TO NEARBY LEE AIRPORT, HOWEVER, FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED PRIOR TO REACHING THE AIRPORT. THE ACFT CONTACTED POWER LINES, A CONCRETE MEDIAN BARRIER AND A VAN DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON ROUTE 2 SOUTH OF ANNAPOLIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9378T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9378T-1992-02-06), registration cancelled 1992-02-06, S/N 3878A0080 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0080
- Airframe hours: 3091
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: K. C. Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 20, 1989, 42 hours before
- Departed: 1N4, WOODBINE, NJ
- Destination: CGS, COLLEGE PARK, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 32 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 14 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 19890311003749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003749A), Mar 11, 1989: Piper PA38112, Gingerville, MD, Substantial damage. Changed fuel stops and destinations several times. Due to fuel exhaustion unable to make destination. Hit powerlines

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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