# NTSB NYC84MA102: Piper PA-31, N6629L, Cumberland, MD, March 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1984, 11:07 local (16:07 UTC)
- Place: Cumberland, MD
- Coordinates: 39.649581, -78.759414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6496&lon=-78.7594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84MA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84MA102

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - terrain condition - high terrain
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - leak (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

APPROX 16 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR THE LOCALIZER DME APPROACH. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ON A HDG OF ABOUT 220 DEGREES AT APPROX 8.5 DME ON A BEARING OF 051 DEGREES FROM THE ARPT. AS INDICATED ON THE LOC/DME RWY 23 APPROACH PLATE, THE MINIMUM ALTITUDE BETWEEN THE OUTER MARKER, 6.6 DME, AND 10 DME WAS 3000 FEET. ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 2000 FT; ARPT ELEVATION WAS 776 FT. POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED MOST OF THE WRECKAGE BUT THE CABIN HEATER WAS NOT IN THE FIRE AREA. THE PILOT'S REPORTED CARBOXY HEMOGLOBIN (CO) WAS 20%. AUTOPSY REVEALED MULTIPLE EXTREME IMPACT INJURIES. PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION WERE FOUND ON FRESH AIR SIDE OF CABIN HEATER/HEAT EXCHANGER. SOURCE OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS WERE NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6629L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6629L-1984-08-20), registration cancelled 1984-08-20, S/N 31-565 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-565
- Airframe hours: 7361
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO540-A2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cumberland Airlines
- Registered owner: Nicholson Air Service Inc.
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 31, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: BWI, BALTIMORE, MD
- Destination: CBE, CUMBERLAND, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CBE, Cumberland, runway 23, 5,050 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,143 total, 547 in this make and model, 1,844 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBE

## 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 19840305069739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840305069739A), Mar 5, 1984: Piper PA31, Bean Cove, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed during initial approach. Crashed occured 10 miles northeast of airport at 2000 foot elevation.

## Other investigations on N6629L (1)

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 FTW73FPM05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPM05-163225), Dec 3, 1972: Piper PA-31 (N6629L), Tulsa, OK, 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.

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