# NTSB BFO92FA010: Piper PA-28-140, N55657, Chesapeake Bay, MD, October 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1991, 22:22 local (Oct 5, 1991, 02:22 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake Bay, MD
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA010

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A THREE LEG STUDENT CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. SHE LANDED AT HER FIRST DESTINATION AND HAD HER LOG BOOK SIGNED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF A FIXED-BASE OPERATOR. THE STUDENT DEPARTED ON THE SECOND LEG OF HER TRIP AND CONTACTED DOVER APPROACH CONTROL FOR RADAR ADVISORIES. AFTER A BRIEF RADIO CONVERSATION, RADIO AND RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED. THAT WAS THE LAST KNOWN CONTACT WITH THE PILOT. HER BODY WAS DISCOVERED IN CHESAPEAKE BAY MORE THAN ONE MONTH LATER. THE AIRPLANE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55657](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55657-1992-03-12), registration cancelled 1992-03-12, S/N 287325454 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-732-5454
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Annapolis Flying Service
- Registered owner: Annapolis Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1991, 70 hours before
- Departed: N92, SUMMIT, DE
- Destination: ESN, EASTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: unknown, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DOV, 999 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 19911004053479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911004053479A), Oct 4, 1991: Piper PA28140, Chesapeake Bay, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Overdue student on crosscountry. Body found in bay after flight became missing. Aircraft not found.

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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