# NTSB ERA23LA093: Piper PA-28-151, N1867H, Annapolis, MD, December 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 26, 2022, 10:22 local (15:22 UTC) - Place: Annapolis, MD · landed in creek - Coordinates: 38.942878, -76.568399 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9429&lon=-76.5684&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106491 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106491/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106491 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA093 ## Probable cause A reported partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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-28-151, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102805), [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. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot performed a normal preflight inspection and engine run-up before departing and everything was normal. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot noticed a drop in airspeed and the airplane was losing altitude. Though he did not hear any unusual noises or vibrations, he figured the engine lost power and made a forced landing to a partially frozen creek, where the airplane sank. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions as the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 26, 2022, about 1022 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N1867H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident shortly after takeoff from Lee County Airport (ANP), Annapolis, Maryland. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he performed a normal preflight inspection in accordance with the checklist. He then performed a normal run-up of the engine and departed. The pilot was monitoring the airspeed on departure so he could retract the flaps when the airplane reached 70 knots; however, at a height of 500 ft above the ground, he noticed that the airspeed was decreasing below 60 knots without out any changes to pitch attitude. The pilot thought the engine had lost power (he did not feel any vibration or unusual noise) and he pushed the nose over to gain airspeed. The pilot made a forced landing to a partially frozen creek, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe, left wing, and an engine mount. The airplane sank and was later recovered. Examination of the engine was conducted by removing the spark plugs and manually rotating the undamaged, two-bladed propeller. Compression and valvetrain continuity were established on each cylinder and normal firing of both magneto impulse couplings was noted. A magneto test box was connected to the magneto "P" lead connections. The ignition key switch system was tested to the magnetos to trace proper grounding to the off position and correct operation through the "right, left and both" magneto positions. The magneto to engine timing was in normal range and exhibited normal right- to- left offset. Both fuel tanks were intact and half-full of fuel. The carburetor drain plug was removed and a fuel sample primarily contained water and no other material contaminants. The firewall drain sump was destroyed from impact. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1867H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1867H), registered now, S/N 28-7715283, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7715283 - Year built: 1977 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: GED, Gerogetown, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ANP, Lee County, runway 30, 2,500 × 48 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 4, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,200 total, 370 in this make and model, 285.7 as pilot in command, 2.8 in the last 90 days, 2.8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KNAK, 5 nm away - METAR: KNAK 261354Z AUTO 32006KT 10SM CLR M04/M12 A3031 ## 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 20221226019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221226019189A), Dec 26, 2022: Piper PA-28-151, Edgewater, MD, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that prior to flight he completed a preflight, as well as the required checklists with run-ups. The pilot proceeded with take as normal. At… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106491. 10.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 9.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15043952&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Written statement - pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15043962&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20Pilot%20(2)-Rel.pdf - Engine inspection report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15227926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Inspection%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15227936&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%203-Rel.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.