# NTSB BFO91FA087: Piper PA-38-112, N2513N, Laurel, MD, September 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1991, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Laurel, MD
- Coordinates: 39.100948, -76.799919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1009&lon=-76.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA087

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WAS ON ITS FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY. THE PREFLIGHT WAS COMPLETED WHICH INCLUDED DRAINING THE FUEL SUMPS FOR CONTAMINATIONS. THE PRETAKEOFF ENGINE RUNUP WAS SATISFACTORY.  THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THEY DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 3 AND AS THEY WERE CLIMBING THROUGH 200 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD, ABOUT A HALF MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE AND A UTILITY POLE DURING THE APPROACH TO THE FIELD, DAMAGING THE WINGS.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2513N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2513N-1995-01-11), registration cancelled 1995-01-11, S/N 3879A0883 (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: 38-790883
- Airframe hours: 6425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Suburban Air Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Glenn I. Altman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 1991, 29 hours before
- Departed: W18
- Airport: W18, Suburban, runway 3, 2,170 × 29 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 430 total, 51 in this make and model, 356 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 10 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 19910930044149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910930044149A), Sep 30, 1991: Piper PA38112, Laurel, MD, Destroyed. Reported engine failed on climbout. Struck a tree and crashed. Cause of power loss undetermined. No engine defects.

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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