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Airplane Loss of Radar Contact and Terrain Impact Following Unauthorized Descent (N2881W)

Brandywine, MD, US

On October 2, 1996, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N2881W) was involved in an aviation accident near Brandywine, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots failure to maintain his assigned altitude in IFR conditions. A related factor was the failure of the radar controller to prevent the descent of N2881W to an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane receiving vectors for a visual approach in IMC descended without ATC clearance, lost radar contact at 800 feet, and subsequently impacted terrain with no warning from ATC.

Accident Summary

An airplane operating under instrument flight rules was receiving vectors from air traffic control (ATC) for a visual approach to Hyde Field Airport. The pilot was in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and was attempting to acquire visual meteorological conditions (VMC) to conduct the landing. The last assigned altitude given to the pilot by ATC was 1,600 feet, which was the minimum vectoring altitude for that area.

Flight Events

During the approach, the pilot radioed ATC and informed them that he was descending to 1,000 feet. ATC did not respond to the pilot's radio call. The airplane subsequently descended to 1,000 feet, performed a 360-degree turn, and had almost completed a second circle when it was lost from radar. The last recorded altitude was 800 feet. The airplane then descended into the terrain with no warning provided by ATC.

Context

No further details regarding aircraft type, registration, date, operator, location, occupants, injuries, or damage are provided in the source material. The probable cause of the accident was not stated in the source.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-32 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Oct 1996 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Brandywine, MD?

An airplane receiving vectors for a visual approach in IMC descended without ATC clearance, lost radar contact at 800 feet, and subsequently impacted terrain with no warning from ATC.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Oct 1996 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N2881W, at Brandywine, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilots failure to maintain his assigned altitude in IFR conditions. A related factor was the failure of the radar controller to prevent the descent of N2881W to an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude. Additionally, the controller's failure to issue a safety alert after the MSAW issued 4 warnings in the…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06896. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.