# NTSB IAD74FIG03: Piper PA-28, N8333R, Middletown, MD, July 14, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 14, 1973
- Place: Middletown, MD · MIDDLETOWN, MD
- Location: 39.4413° N, 77.5353° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4413&lon=-77.5353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD74FIG03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FIG03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3380  73/7/14    MIDDLETOWN,MD       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 51, 285
        TIME - 1222                    N8333R              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 15 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FREDERICK,MD                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- EXHAUST VALVE NR 3 CYL BKN DMGD PISTON AND CYL ASSEMBLY.FUSELAGE STRUCK PILE OF ROCKS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8333R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8333R-1973-12-18), registration cancelled 1973-12-18, S/N 28-22205 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730714023399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730714023399A), Jul 14, 1973: Piper PA28R200, Middletown, MD, Substantial damage. Exhaust valve nr 3 cyl bkn dmgd piston and cyl assembly. Fuselage struck pile of rocks.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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