# NTSB ERA13CA079: Piper PA-32-300, N2835W, Easton, MD, December 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 4, 2012, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Easton, MD - Coordinates: 38.804164, -76.068885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8042&lon=-76.0689&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## 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-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing, the main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. As soon as the nose gear touched down, the airplane "fishtailed." The pilot applied brakes; however, he was unable to get the airplane to straighten or stop. He then pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane veered left. The airplane subsequently traveled off the left side of the runway and struck a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall. Postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, the main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. As soon as the nosegear touched down, the airplane "fishtailed." The pilot applied brakes; however, he was unable to get the airplane to straighten or stop. He then pulled back on the yoke and the airplane veered left. The airplane subsequently traveled off the left side of the runway and struck a ditch. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The recorded wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was a 30-degree left quartering headwind at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2835W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2835W-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 32-7940148, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7940148 - Airframe hours: 8987 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Middle River Aviation - Registered owner: N2835w LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2012 - Departed: MTN, Baltimore, MD - Destination: ESN, Easton, MD - Airport: ESN, Easton/Newnam Field, runway 22, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 15 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: ESN ## 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 20121204026289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121204026289A), Dec 4, 2012: Piper PA-32-300, Easton, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed at esn on rwy 22. During roll out the aircaft departed the rwy, hit navigation equipment, crossed a ditch and the nose gear collapsed. ## Other investigations on N2835W (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 MKC81DCD18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCD18), Apr 26, 1981: Piper PA-32 (N2835W), Holstein, IA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85744. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 842 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Firewall Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Firewall%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.