Piper PA-22-150 accident near Cumberland, Maryland, October 2, 1988
On October 2, 1988 at about 5:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-150, registered N7653D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cumberland, Maryland (Mexico Farms airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 1988 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Cumberland, Maryland · Mexico Farms · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N7653D · no longer on the register · serial 225363
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 150 FT AGL, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. DURING THE TURN THE WINGTIP CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED FOR 7 MONTHS. A MECHANIC WHO PURCHASED THE ENGINE FROM THE PILOT/OWNER STATED THAT THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR ITS COMPONENTS. THE PILOTS RECOMMENDATION ON HOW THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WAS TO USE MORE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE ENGINE RUN-UP.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 860 hours in all; 129 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,315 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 20, 1987; 74 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,280 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,180 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.