ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 41636
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| Date: | Sunday 20 May 1984 |
| Time: | 20:13 |
| Type: |  Cessna 210E |
| Owner/operator: | private |
| Registration: | N432MD |
| MSN: | 21058706 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1965 |
| Engine model: | CONTINENTAL IO-520-A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Glen Burnie, MD -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Baltimore, MD (MTN) |
| Richmond, VA | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Before the flight, the pilot was observed performing maintenance in the engine compartment. He was known to do some of his own maintenance which included stopping an oil gasket leak by using a sealer. While climbing after takeoff, he turned back to the departure airport, then divert toward the BWI airport with an engine problem. The engine lost power and he tried to land on a school yard, but the aircraft crashed and burned before reaching it. An exam revealed fatigue cracks and a hole in the #4 cylinder. Polishing of a displaced piece of the cylinder and deposits in the cracks showed that they had been there for an unknown period of time. Foam pads (to keep birds out of the engine compartment while parked) were found in the air/vent holes of the cowling. An engine teardown revealed: #2 fuel nozzle partially obstructed; left magneto improperly adjusted; rubber material resembling silicone sealer was found in the oil system, but no oil system blockage was noted. Evidence of heat in engine bearings journals. Right fuel cap not vented. Pilot's medical certificate expired. High time engine. Prop strike, 4/9/83.
The information regarding the details of the events described in this narrative, is based on the sole, first-hand account of an Anne Arundel County Police Officer and the events he experienced, as they happened, in real time, while at the scene alone. The information in this narrative has never before been made known, or ever reported anywhere, or by anyone. This information contains newly discovered details, after having remained hidden for over 30 years after the incident.
While attempting an emergency forced-landing, the pilot tried to land his small, 4-seater Cessna Airplane on one of the sports fields in the vicinity of Point Pleasant Elementary School, in Glen Burnie. Unfortunately, the attempt failed, and the plane crashed in to a detatched garage, a few feet short of the sports field. Immediately following the crash, the plane instantly burst in flames, with the pilot having become trapped, as a result of the impact from the crash. The actions, that ensued shortly thereafter, would be nothing less than one of the finest displays of heroism anyone could perform. In the face of great personal risk, there were determined, repeated rescue attempts made, in a valiant effort to save the life of the pilot.
These determined rescue efforts were performed by an on-duty Anne Arundel County Police Officer; Officer Samuel F. Worsham (badge #454), who noticed a Cessna airplane, very low in the air, and without power. Upon this observation, the Officer believed the pilot of the plane was in trouble. He drove his patrol car in the same direction as the airplane. A few minutes later, the Officer observed a dark column of smoke visible in the air. The Officer immediately notified "Radio"(Police Dispatch) of the incident, advised of it's location, and requested Fire Department Dispatch. The Officer informed "Radio", and advised to have Fire Department units "step it up", given the nature, as one, or possibly more persons were likely to be trapped. The Officer knew it was likely to be a rescue situation.
Officer Worsham arrived on the scene within moments, following the crash. Upon arrival, Officer Worsham observed the small, Cessna airplane, crashed in to a detatched garage. The plane was on fire, and the pilot was unable to self-extricate himself from the cockpit. At this stage, the fire was not immediately, infringing on the pilot, but very quickly started to spread toward the cockpit area, and began to threaten the trapped pilot.
Realizing he didn't have much time, and upon quickly retrieving the department-issued, dry chemical fire extinguisher, from the trunk of his cruiser, the Officer immediately alerted his presence to the pilot, and that he was there to help.
Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, with attempts made to enter the garage, while discharging his fire extinguisher, in short bursts. The Officer concentrated on the fire closest to the pilot and cockpit area. The Officer, having made several repeated attempts to enter the garage and reach the pilot, was driven out of the structure each time, by the heat, which, was rapidly growing more intense. Although he was able to get close, he just couldn't quite get close enough to reach the pilot, to be able to pull him out. He was however, successful in keeping the fire and a lot of the heat off the pilot and cockpit area with the fire extinguisher. The fire was however, quickly extending from, beyond the plane to involve the contents of the garage as well. At this point, conditions began rapidly deteriorating, making further efforts to enter the structure, impossible. However, using the fire extinguisher in keeping the fire off the pilot was still successful, as it was the only effort with any chance of success. By continuing to keep the fire away from the pilot, the Officer hoped to hold the fire off, shielding the pilot long enough, to allow for help to arrive. Hoping that help would arrive in time, successful rescue of the pilot would still be possible.
Unfortunately, help would not get there fast enough. It was only when the Officer's fire extinguisher had become fully expended, before the assistance of additional resources could arrive. Suddenly with no means of keeping the fire at bay, the possibility of a successful rescue, became all but hopeless. Having no way of being able to help the pilot, and in not giving up, the Officer frantically attempted to locate another fire extinguisher, but to no avail. He even attempted to acquire a garden hose from several houses nearby, but could not locate one.
Once the pilot became aware all hope was lost, almost in ironic fashion, in having aknowledging appreciation for the Police Officer's best efforts, returned the favor, in kind, by repeatedly yelling and signaling for the Officer to, "back out and get away quickly". "Its going to explode!" "its going to explode!" "get away quickly!" The pilot, in his final moments, in doing his best to protect the Officer from harm, and ensure his safety.
Because the Officer was on the scene, by himself for a such a long time, and having no assistance from anyone else. (other Police Officers, off - duty firefighters, citizens, etc.) The Police Officer, who expierenced these events, Officer Samuel F. Worsham, also happens to be my Father. I also happen to be the only person, he has ever confided in this information. In the course of conversation pertaining to this incident, he affirms that, if he had a 2nd fire extinguisher, or was able to acquire a garden hose, it would've swung the balance for a positive outcome. Additionally, he affirms that, all he needed was, 3 more minutes of a working fire extinguisher or garden hose, and the pilot would've made it. He says; "just 3 more minutes; was that so much to ask?" He says, that he could hear help quickly approaching, from the sirens growing louder, as they were nearing the scene, from every direction.
With all that having been said, several conclusions can now be made. It is safe to conclude that, had the Officer not arrived so soon after the crash, there probably wouldn't have been time for a rescue attempt at all. In addition, had that airplane exploded at anytime, while he was trying to get to the pilot, I would've been a 6-year-old boy, who lost his father that day, on May 20, 1984.
In having said that, it still does not replace the worst feeling of utter hoplessness, one could imagine. It was at this point when, not being able to do anything more to help, but to watch in horror, as the inevitable sequence of events, tragically unfolded before his very eyes. The only thing he could do was to keep any other civilians out of the area.
I share this information for 2 reasons. The first reason is, it's important the pilot's relatives, friends, coworkers, etc., be made privy to this information. They have a right to know, and should they read this narrative, it'll be obvious, that everything that could've been done, was done in attempt to save the pilot on that day. It was because of this incident that, Officer Worsham would always carry an additional fire extinguisher, until the day he retired. I had always wondered why he carried 2 fire extinguishers in the trunk of his Police Car, when everybody else carried one. The department only requires a minimum of one.
The second reason is, it's important for Officer Worsham's previously untold accounting of the events he experienced on that day, to be documented in some form. The Officer had held the memories of what happened that day, strictly to himself, without ever mentioning a word of it to anyone. It was 30 years before he was finally, willing to talk about it.
Anyone, who, risks his life, without giving a second thought to the level of personal danger involved, is the finest display of of unselfishness, bravery, and devotion to duty, in and of the tallest order. I could not be more proud of him, as both Police Officer, and a (my) father. No one should ever have to experience such a helpless situation; not being able to do anything, except but to watch, while another human being is suffering such a horrible fate. I now know why this story has remained hidden for so many years.
Sources:
NTSB: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001214X39713
"THE WASHINGTON POST", Article, May 22, 1984
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTING OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY POLICE OFFICER SAMUEL F. WORSHAM #454
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 01-Aug-2016 11:47 | AAFIRE | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 02-Aug-2016 06:29 | AAFIRE | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 03-Aug-2016 09:19 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 06-Aug-2016 07:29 | AAFIRE | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 10-Aug-2016 17:08 | Anon. | Updated [Narrative] |
| 25-Aug-2016 06:53 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 29-Aug-2016 06:42 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 30-Aug-2016 18:13 | AAFIRE | Updated [Embed code, Narrative] |
| 31-Aug-2016 17:34 | AAFIRE | Updated [Embed code, Narrative] |
| 31-Aug-2016 17:53 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 01-Sep-2016 13:39 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 01-Sep-2016 18:42 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 02-Sep-2016 13:47 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 02-Sep-2016 14:03 | harro | Updated [Narrative] |
| 03-Sep-2016 19:15 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 04-Sep-2016 07:14 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 05-Sep-2016 04:13 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 07-Sep-2016 11:39 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 08-Sep-2016 15:34 | AAFIRE | Updated [Narrative] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 23-Dec-2016 06:54 | Anon. | Updated [Narrative] |
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