# NTSB Accident IAD97FA001
> **Piper PA-32-300** · 1996-10-02 · BRANDYWINE, MD, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** IAD97FA001
- **Event ID:** 20001208X06896
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-10-02
- **Location:** BRANDYWINE, MD, USA
- **Coordinates:** 38.689517, -76.850715
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 3
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-32-300
- **Registration:** N2881W
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

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 radar room.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=IAD97FA001) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*