# NTSB BFO94LA107: Piper PA-24-250, N7825P, Forest Hill, MD, June 18, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1994, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Forest Hill, MD - Coordinates: 39.579154, -76.389854 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5792&lon=-76.3899&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 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA107 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - fence ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING CLIMB OUT AT 1200 FEET MSL THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, CHECKING THE MAGNETOS, AND TURNING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, BUT ALL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, BUT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE. THE AIRPLANE WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT BY THE FAA AND NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS DISCLOSED. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1994, at 0940 eastern daylight time, N7825P, a Piper PA-24-250 collided with a fence on landing following a power-off forced landing at Forest Hill, Maryland. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during climb out. The certificated private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was being operated under 14 CFR 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that during climb out at 1200 feet MSL, the engine, "began to sputter." He stated that he tried switching fuel tanks, checking the magnetos and the electric fuel pump, but all were unsuccessful. He stated that he tried to return to the airport, but due to insufficient altitude he made a forced landing in a field. During the landing the aircraft struck a fence. The airplane was examined after the accident by the FAA. The examination included checking the compression of the cylinders, taking fuel samples and obtaining ignition from the magnetos. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction noted that would have precluded operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7825P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7825P-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 24-3044, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3044 - Airframe hours: 2406 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas Jones - Registered owner: Douglas Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1994, 17 hours before - Destination: SBY, SALISBURY, MD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 422 total, 172 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 30 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 19940618015609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940618015609A), Jun 18, 1994: Piper PA24250, Forest Hill, MD, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Tried to return but hit fence landing in a field. No engine or other problems found. ## Other investigations on N7825P (3) 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 NYC72FNA45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FNA45), Jun 17, 1972: Piper PA-24 (N7825P), Hopedale, MA, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC70FFD16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70FFD16), May 24, 1970: Piper PA-24 (N7825P), Chatham, MA, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC68D0468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0468), Apr 12, 1968: Piper PA-24 (N7825P), Warren, VT, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.