NTSB Factual Report

On November 10, 2017, about 1520 eastern standard time, a Socata TB200, N207GT, operated by Tipton Tampico LLC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Annapolis, Maryland. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Tipton Airport (FME), Fort Meade, Maryland, about 1430.

The pilot reported that he was conducting a sightseeing flight with his two children around the eastern shore of Maryland. About 45 minutes after departure, the airplane was at an altitude of 1,500 ft and about 25 miles southeast of FME, when the pilot felt a very light and subtle vibration from the engine. Shortly thereafter, the propeller rpm increased to 2,700 rpm uncommanded and was "pegged at the redline." He followed the checklist and reduced engine power in an attempt to remain below redline rpm , but it had little effect. The airplane was 11 miles southeast of FME when the engine vibration increased, and the cockpit started filling-up with smoke; he diverted to Lee Airport (ANP) Annapolis, Maryland. The pilot reported that the engine gauges were all "indicating green" during this time, but once the situation started deteriorating rapidly, he focused on flying the airplane and did not recall reading the gauges again.

Immediately after turning south towards ANP at around 1,400 feet, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot realized that the airplane would not be able reach the airport and he looked for a place to land. He maintained 70 knots in a glide and found an exit ramp on a state highway that appeared to be relatively straight and free of vehicles. The airplane touched down normally on the road, but struck a light pole and a guardrail before coming to rest on the grassy shoulder of the road.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that both wings were sheared, the engine detached from the fuselage, and the right horizontal stabilator was crushed.

According to FAA records, the airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate in the normal category on September 24, 2001. It was a four-place, internally braced low-wing airplane, that was equipped with fixed tricycle landing gear, and a Lycoming IO-360, 200-horsepower engine with a two-blade metal constant-speed propeller.

The weather conditions reported at FME, 12-miles northeast of the accident site, at 1524, included wind from 350° at 12 knots gusting to 17 knots , visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 3° C, dew point -9° C, and an altimeter setting of 30.38 inches of mercury.

The airplane was recovered from the accident site and retained for additional examination.