# NTSB NYC94LA022: Piper PA-28-180, N16493, Centreville, MD, October 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1993, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Centreville, MD
- Coordinates: 39.041723, -76.066221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0417&lon=-76.0662&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA022

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AFTER ONE AND ONE HALF HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK TO LEFT TANK.  THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH THEN LOSE POWER.  THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNTIL IT IMPACTED IN 20 TO 30 FEET OF WATER AND SANK.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE WATER, AND THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY of FLIGHT

On Monday, October 25, 1993, at about 2045 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N16493, piloted by Mr. Rudy Fanari, collided with water during a forced landing near Centerville, Maryland.  The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The airplane's engine lost power for unknown reasons, and the pilot made a forced landing in the Chester River, 200 yards off Spanish Point, in 20 to 30 feet of water.

According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB form 6120.1/2, after approximately one and a half hours of flight time, he switched fuel tanks from the right tank to the left tank.  After switching tanks the engine started to run rough for approximately 2 minutes, and the pilot could not maintain altitude.  The pilot said he checked gauges,switches and fuel, but could not determine the problem.  The engine continued to lose power until the airplane impacted the water.

Several witness standing on the shore near the crash site heard:

...a loud roaring noise...over the river and no lights      were visible...we all witnessed the sound, but could      not determine if the noise was a boat or airplane.  The      object seemed out of control.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The airplane was not recovered from the water and the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16493](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16493-1994-07-18), registration cancelled 1994-07-18, S/N 287305269 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305269
- Airframe hours: 4412
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Seth Koch Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1993, 60 hours before
- Departed: FDK, FREDRICK, MD
- Destination: ESN, EASTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 10 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 20 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 19931025052309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931025052309A), Oct 25, 1993: Piper PA28180, Centerville, MD, Destroyed. Report power loss. Crashed into water 800 yrds off shore. Dark night and no reference for horizon a factor.

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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