# NTSB ERA22LA061: Eric A Munzer Dornier D027-B2, N27TQ, Martinsville, VA, November 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 12, 2021, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Martinsville, VA - Coordinates: 36.630752, -80.018338 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6308&lon=-80.0183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104252/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104252 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with a ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Eric A Munzer DORNIER D027-B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=05638IP), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eric A Munzer DORNIER D027-B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05638IP), [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: [Eric A Munzer DORNIER D027-B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638IP), [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-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Eric A Munzer DORNIER D027-B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05638IP), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing rollout in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane began to drift left. He attempted to maintain control to avoid a ground loop and continued to keep the nose straight as the airplane departed the runway into the grass. During the runway excursion, the airplane encountered a ditch that was hidden from view by tall grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27TQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27TQ-2022-10-24), registration cancelled 2022-10-24, S/N 105, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERIC A MUNZER DORNIER D027-B2 - Registry model: [Eric A Munzer DORNIER D027-B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eric-a-munzer-dornier-d027-b2) (registry code 05638IP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480-B1A6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-b1a6) (registry code 42159, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 105 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 219 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-B1A6 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 4, 2021 - Departed: TTA, Standford, NC - Destination: MTV, Martinsville, NC - Airport: MTV, Blue Ridge, runway 31, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 4, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 32.5 in this make and model, 3,086 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 25.2 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: MTV - METAR: KMTV 121955Z AUTO 24005KT 10SM CLR 19/02 A3000 RMK AO2 T01870017 ## 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 20211112019459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211112019459A), Nov 12, 2021: Eric A Munzer DORNIER D027-B2, Martinsville, VA, Substantial damage. Landing runway 30 aircraft veered left departed runway and continued through field to a 12' embankment. Left axle sheared at base with wheel and tire departure… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104252. 12.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12941693&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 587 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12942003&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 573 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12942555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20FAA%20Inspector-Rel.pdf - Area weather reports (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12955271&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Area%20Weather%20Reports-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12941703&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.