# NTSB ERA11CA486: Piper PA-44-180, N3020M, Gaithersburg, MD, August 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2011, 07:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Gaithersburg, MD - Coordinates: 39.168334, -77.165832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1683&lon=-77.1658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA486 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA486 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue taxiing with restricted windshield visibility. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the active runway for takeoff when the windshield became foggy and he missed the left turn to the runway. The airplane exited the taxiway onto a grassy area, the pilot then turned left, and the airplane slid down a hill. The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the active runway for takeoff, when the windshield started to fog and he missed the left turn to the runway. The airplane exited the taxiway onto a grassy area, and the pilot then turned left; however, the airplane began to slide down a hill. The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the ground, which resulted in damage to the right wing spar. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He reported 1,400 hours of total flight experience, which included 96 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3020M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3020M), registered now, S/N 44-7995220, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995220 - Airframe hours: 7607 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Washington Int'l Flight Academy, LLC - Registered owner: Morgan Edward T - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 11, 2011, 80 hours before - Departed: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD - Destination: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GAI, Montgomery County, runway 14, 4,202 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 96 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: GAI ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110826022069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110826022069A), Aug 26, 2011: Piper PA-44-180, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. This accident was not reported to this FSDO office. During an inspection of this flight school maintenance facility, this aircraft was discovered in the rear… ## Other investigations on N3020M (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 ERA17LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA204), Jun 9, 2017: Piper PA 44-180 (N3020M), Gaithersburg, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right main landing gear trunnion bracket due to an undetermined overstress event. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81749. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 with occupant statements (item 1, .PDF, 561 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355073&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20with%20occupant%20statements-Redacted.PDF - Goggle Earth overview of Gaithersburg Airport (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Goggle%20Earth%20overview%20of%20Gaithersburg%20Airport%20-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355072&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.