# Accident 20230405012079A: Grumman G-44A, Los Alamos, NM, April 5, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 5, 2023, 17:30 local time
- Place: Los Alamos, NM
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.8800° N, 106.2700° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8800&lon=-106.2700&mi=10
- Aircraft: N444M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N444M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman G-44A (registry code 3951508, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-44a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Fairchild 6-440 series (registry code 26003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44A
- Reported engine: FAIRCHILD 6-440 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 17,600 total, 8 in this make and model, 136 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA152) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230405012079A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON APRIL 5, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 MDT, A GRUMMAN G-44A, A FIXED-WING MULTIENGINE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE LOS ALAMOS, NM, AIRPORT, KLAM. BOTH PILOTS (THE ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND A CFI PROVIDING DUAL INSTRUCTION IN THE RIGHT SEAT) REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN THE LEFT SEAT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED AIRPLANE. THE G44A SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE RIGHT SEAT CFI REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH BRAKES AT THE RIGHT SEAT POSITION. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO PRE-ACCIDENT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WITH THE AIRPLANE THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION. NO FAA FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT THE LOS ALAMOS, NM, AIRPORT, KLAM.  THE FAA ATP-RATED LEFT SEAT PILOT AND THE FAA ATP-RATED RIGHT SEAT CFI WERE NOT INJURED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR23LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA152), Apr 5, 2023: Grumman G-44A (N444M), Los Alamos, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion and ground collision.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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