Piper PA-28-161 accident near Easton, Maryland, June 29, 2026
On June 29, 2026 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1981 Piper PA-28-161, registered N8394D, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Easton, Maryland (Easton/Newnam Fld airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. 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
- June 29, 2026 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Easton, Maryland · Easton/Newnam Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 NO SERIES, built 1981 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N8394D · registry record · serial 28-8116238
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,039.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 1, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,440 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Harry Pray Aviation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 11:45 am from KESN
Weather report (METAR): METAR KESN 301545Z 21005KT 10SM CLR 28/17 A3015=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N8394D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.