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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 25, 1993 · Piper PA-28-180 · N16493

Centreville, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Centreville, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N16493
Operator
Int L Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC94LA022

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN16493
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorInt L Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind280° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data