Cessna 337 accident near Prnce Frederick, Maryland, February 28, 2000
On February 28, 2000 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Cessna 337, registered N53HS, was destroyed in an accident near Prnce Frederick, Maryland. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of engine power on one engine. Factors in the accident were the pilot/owner's failure to follow the published emergency procedure, his inadequate fuel management, and his intentional flight with known deficiencies which included an inoperative fuel quantity system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2000 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Prnce Frederick, Maryland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 337 · all 337s on the register
- Registration
- N53HS · registry record · serial 337-0411
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The multi-engine centerline-thrust airplane was in cruise at 2,500 feet and 110 knots ground speed, when radar data depicted altitude excursions from 2,500 feet down to 1,300 feet, and witnesses described a steep bank angle, high airspeed, and an increase in power prior to contact with the trees. There was no odor of fuel or evidence of fire at the scene. Examination of the aircraft logbooks revealed that in the 5 years prior to the accident, only 4 entries were made in the maintenance logbooks. Each reflected completion of an annual inspection with no discrepancies noted. No entries were made to reflect compliance with Airworthiness Directives, nor the performance or completion of any scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. The logbook entries were signed by mechanics that were either unlicensed, or whose privileges had been revoked. An FAA Airworthiness condition notice placed on the airplane 3 years prior to the accident was closed without action because the pilot/owner said he would no longer fly the airplane. The pilot's wife reported that the fuel quantity system was inoperative for approximately 6 months prior to the accident. The pilot received his multi-engine rating 3 years after he purchased the airplane. Flight instruction and evaluation for the multi-engine rating were received in an airplane completely different in make, model, and configuration. The pilot noted only 3 hours of instruction in the accident airplane but logged 17 hours of solo time prior to training for his multi-engine exam. His last known biennial flight review was 6 years prior to the accident. The single-engine service ceiling for the airplane at maximum gross weight with the aft engine operating was 10,200 feet. Maximum single-engine rate of climb in the same configuration was 450 feet per minute.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,265 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,337 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 16, 1998; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-360-C/D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1GA0 Eagle Neck GA
- Destination: ANP Edgewater MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from NHK, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.