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Casualties unknown

Traffic Watch Airplane Stalls and Strikes Residence in Fog (N736KL)

Bowie, MD, US

On October 13, 1998, a Cessna R172K (registration N736KL) was involved in an aviation accident near Bowie, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Also causal was the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision, and his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A related factor was the fog. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

A traffic watch airplane with a pilot and reporter stalled after adding power with flaps at 40 degrees, impacting a residence in dense fog. No mechanical malfunction was found.

Background

A pilot and a traffic reporter were scheduled to fly an early morning traffic watch mission, planning to provide coverage in the Washington/Virginia area for about three hours. The reporter stated that they departed at approximately 6:00 a.m.

Accident Sequence

According to the traffic reporter, the airplane was at an altitude of about 400 feet when they attempted to land. The pilot added power with the flaps set to 40 degrees. The reporter indicated that the airplane then stalled, and he heard the pilot exclaim, "Oh no." A witness located about one-quarter mile from the accident site reported hearing an airplane circling overhead but could not see it due to dense fog. Shortly after, through broken clouds, the witness saw a blue and white airplane, heard an engine surge, and then heard an impact.

Damage

The airplane struck the patio of a residence. The collision and subsequent post-crash fire destroyed the airplane and the rear section of the residence.

Weather Conditions

A helicopter pilot who was also reporting traffic noted that the ceiling was about 300 feet with no forward visibility. The accident airplane's reporter described the ceiling as being around 400 feet at the time of the incident.

Examination

An examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction.

Aerodynamic stall

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Oct 1998 Cessna R172K accident near Bowie, MD?

A traffic watch airplane with a pilot and reporter stalled after adding power with flaps at 40 degrees, impacting a residence in dense fog. No mechanical malfunction was found.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Oct 1998 involved a Cessna R172K, registration N736KL, at Bowie, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Also causal was the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision, and his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A related factor was the fog.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11268. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.