Piper PA-28-151 accident near Annapolis, Maryland, December 26, 2022
On December 26, 2022 at about 3:22 pm local time, a 1977 Piper PA-28-151, registered N1867H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Annapolis, Maryland (Lee County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A reported partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 26, 2022 · about 3:22 pm local time
- Place
- Annapolis, Maryland · Lee County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-151, built 1977 · all PA-28-151s on the register
- Registration
- N1867H · registry record · serial 28-7715283
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed a normal preflight inspection and engine run-up before departing and everything was normal. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot noticed a drop in airspeed and the airplane was losing altitude. Though he did not hear any unusual noises or vibrations, he figured the engine lost power and made a forced landing to a partially frozen creek, where the airplane sank. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions as the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,200 hours in all; 370 in this make and model; 2.8 in the last 90 days; 2.8 in the last 30 days; 285.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 4, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GED Gerogetown MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 30, 2,500 ft by 48 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from KNAK, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KNAK 261354Z AUTO 32006KT 10SM CLR M04/M12 A3031
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 2, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Written Statement - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Inspection Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.