# NTSB BFO93FA129: Piper PA-28-180, N5291L, California, MD, July 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1993, 03:30 local (07:30 UTC)
- Place: California, MD
- Coordinates: 38.29066, -76.490127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2907&lon=-76.4901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA129

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INITIATING VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING, HIS LACK OF SLEEP, AND THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS INTO MARGINAL VFR AND/OR IMC CONDITIONS. NO WEATHER BRIEFING, FLIGHT PLAN, OR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WERE RECORDED BY ANY FAA FACILITY. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES LESS THAN 1 MI FROM THE AIRPORT, AND WAS FOUND 17 DAYS LATER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE=IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FLOWN BY OTHER PILOTS FOR ABOUT 6 HRS TOTAL TIME 1 DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WITH NO SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES NOTED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD AT LEAST 'ONE OR TWO' MIXED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BEFORE 2100. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER PERFORMED A TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS ON A SPECIMEN OF MUSCLE TISSUE TO SCREEN FOR ALCOHOL - THE FINDING WAS NEGATIVE. WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN AWAKE FOR OVER 18 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5291L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5291L-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 28-4592, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4592
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airpark Sales And Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Francis G. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 1993
- Destination: PVG, HAMPTON ROADS, VA
- Airport: 2W6, St. Mary'S County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,128 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 15 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 19930701024419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930701024419A), Jul 1, 1993: Piper PA28180, Leonardtown, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off at night into low ceiling and fog. Pilot fatigue. Failure check weather. No pre impact malfunctions.

## Other investigations on N5291L (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 ATL85LMG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LMG02), Jan 27, 1985: Piper PA-28-180 (N5291L), Goldsboro, NC, substantial damage

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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