# NTSB ERA19LA160: Piper PA28R, N33305, Easton, MD, March 13, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 2019, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Easton, MD - Coordinates: 38.779724, -76.088058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7797&lon=-76.0881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-circling (IFR): Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99349/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99349 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA160 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-circling (IFR): Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and pilot were on a flight to resume the pilot's instrument training. After performing maneuvers and several touch-and-go landings, the pilots elected to perform a practice instrument approach to the destination airport. While on the approach, they configured the airplane for landing. The flight instructor noted that the airplane was below the glideslope and asked the pilot to increase engine power; however, the engine did not respond to the throttle input. The flight instructor took the controls and attempted to restore engine power without success. The propeller continued to windmill, the pilot switched fuel tanks, and the engine did not restart. The flight instructor performed a forced landing in a nearby field, during which the fuselage was substantially damaged. During recovery from the field, fuel was drained from both fuel tanks, and no water or debris was noted in the fuel. An examination of the engine revealed crankshaft and valvetrain continuity throughout the engine. The propeller was rotated through 360° of motion, and compression and suction were noted on all cylinders. In addition, fuel was plumbed into the engine, and the engine was started and ran smoothly without hesitation. The engine power was decreased to idle power, and then the engine was shut down. There were no mechanical malfunctions or failures noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation before the accident. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 2019, about 1740 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N33305, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Easton, Maryland. The flight instructor and the private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight that departed from the Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport (CGE), Cambridge, Maryland, about 1720. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and had an intended destination of Easton/Newnam Field (ESN), Easton, Maryland.According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to reacquaint the pilot with the airplane and resume his instrument flight training. They departed Lee Airport (ANP), Annapolis, Maryland, about 1630, and flew to CGE and performed two landings. Then, they departed CGE and were cleared for the "ILS Rwy 4" approach with a circle to land clearance for runway 22 at ESN. While descending on the approach, they configured the airplane for landing by reducing engine power, moving the propeller control to the full forward position, setting the mixture to full rich, turning the electric fuel pump on, moving the landing gear selector to the down position, and extending the flaps "one notch." The airplane descended below the glideslope and the flight instructor told the pilot to add engine power, however, while advancing the throttle, the engine did not respond. The flight instructor took the controls and attempted to get the engine to respond without success. The propeller continued to windmill, the pilot switched the fuel tanks, and again, the engine did not restart. The flight instructor looked for a place to land and found a nearby field. They were about 1,000 ft mean sea level, so he extended the flaps, elected to retract the landing gear, and performed a forced landing to the muddy field. The airplane came to rest in the field, the two occupants turned "everything off" and egressed the airplane. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness records, the airplane was manufactured in 1975. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C, 200-horsepower engine. According to the engine maintenance logbook, the most recent annual inspection was completed on March 5, 2019, at 1,567.6 hours since major overhaul. An examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that a fuselage rib was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. Fuel was noted in both fuel tanks and during recovery was drained using the electric fuel pump, which pumped fuel into exterior containers. No water or contaminates were noted in the fuel. An examination of the fuel selector revealed that it moved smoothly, and it could be clearly felt when the selector was in each respective detent. Examination of the engine revealed that there was no damage to the crankcase. Crankshaft and valvetrain continuity were confirmed. Compression and suctionwere noted on all cylinders. The magneto timing was checked, the magnetos were sparked, and no anomalies were noted. The airbox was examined and not obstructed. Engine control cable continuity was confirmed from the propeller, mixture, and throttle control cables to their respective connections on the engine. Later, the airplane was secured, fuel was plumbed into to the engine, and the engine was started. It ran smoothly, without hesitation, the engine power was decreased to idle power, and then the engine was shutdown. There were no anomalies noted with the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33305](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33305-2021-03-16), registration cancelled 2021-03-16, S/N 28R-7535131, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28R (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7535131 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 4537.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Navy Annapolis Flight Center - Registered owner: Aquila Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2019 - Departed: CGE, Cambridge, MD - Destination: ESN, Easton, MD - Airport: ESN, Easton/Newnam Field, runway 04, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 855 total, 158 in this make and model, 814 as pilot in command, 198 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 26, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 263 total, 21 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: ESN, 2 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 20190313011149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190313011149A), Mar 13, 2019: Piper PA-28R-200, Easton, MD, Minor damage. CFI and instrument training pilot were practicing instrument approaches at kesn to ILS runway 4. On approach, pilot stated that engine failed. Pilot initiated… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99349. 31.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Mechanic Statement - Post Accident Examination (item 2, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%20Statement%20-%20Post%20Accident%20Examination-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - JPI Factual Report (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=JPI%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - JPI Factual Report - Attachment 1 (item 5, .CSV, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476909&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=JPI%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%201-Master.csv - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 21.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 7, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 8, .PDF, 3 photos, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Master.PDF 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.