# NTSB NYC84FIG01: Piper PA-28-161, N84400, Gathersburg, MD, April 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1984, 23:37 local (Apr 23, 1984, 04:37 UTC)
- Place: Gathersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170406, -77.179817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1704&lon=-77.1798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FIG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FIG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - low ceiling
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SECOND ATTEMPT TO INTERCEPT THE LOC ON THE ILS 23 APCH AT FREDERICK, MD, THE PLT REPORTED A LOW FUEL CONDITION TO BALTIMORE ATC. AT THIS TIME ATC SUGGESTED THE PLT FLY TO EITHER BALTIMORE (34 MILES SE) OR TO DULLES (25 MILES SW) FOR AN APCH. A HEADING OF 090 DEGS WAS ISSUED FOR BALTIMORE. THE PLT THEN STATED TO ATC THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS WAS EMPTY AT WHICH TIME VECTORS WERE ISSUED FOR THE NDB-A APCH AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY AIRPARK, GAITHERSBURG, MD. WHEN 3 1/2 MILES NNE OF THE ARPT, THE PLT REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE TIME PERIOD BETWEEN THE PLTS FIRST LOW FUEL REPORT TO ATC AND THE LOSS OF POWER REPORT WAS 19 MINUTES. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA 2 1/2 MILES NNW OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84400](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84400), registered now, S/N 28-8216004, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216004
- Airframe hours: 1080
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frederick Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: Shenandoah Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 30, 1984, 85 hours before
- Departed: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Destination: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery Co. Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 916 total, 650 in this make and model, 858 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840422016349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422016349A), Apr 22, 1984: Piper PA28161, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. Low on fuel diverted to closer airport. Was unable to pin down LOC signal. Out of fuel on radar assist vectors.

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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