# NTSB ERA26LA147: Piper PA24-180, N7573P, Leonardtown, MD, March 11, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2026, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Leonardtown, MD
- Coordinates: 38.31445, -76.546555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3145&lon=-76.5466&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 2026
- 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): 202643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202643/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202643
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA147

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control during a crosswind takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a drainage ditch.

## 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-24-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102403), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102403), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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-24-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102403), [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.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102403), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102403), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102403), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was departing in wind conditions that included a 90-degree left crosswind at a reported velocity of 9 knots and gusts up to 19 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane veered left as soon as the wheels lifted off the ground and that his control inputs were ineffective at correcting the airplane’s heading. The pilot reduced engine power and landed on the grass adjacent to the runway, where the airplane impacted a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the flight controls and landing gear by maintenance personnel revealed that there was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, nor did the pilot report any.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7573P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7573P), registered now, S/N 24-2783, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-180 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (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: 24-2783
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 3603.2
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2025
- Destination: MVF, Accomack, VA
- Airport: 2W6, St Mary's County Regional Airport, runway 29, 5,350 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2025; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,835 total, 398 in this make and model, 1,753 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 6 nm away
- METAR: METAR KNHK 111952Z 20009G19KT 10SM FEW100 FEW200 29/16 A2979 RMK AO2 SLP087 T02940161 $

## 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 20260311001819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260311001819A), Mar 11, 2026: Piper PA-24-180, Leonardtown, MD, Substantial damage. Mr. [privacy data omitted], A private pilot with instrument airplane attempted to depart st. Mary'S regional on runway 29, , on 03/11/2026. The runway was dry…

## Other investigations on N7573P (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 IAD04CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04CA042), Aug 29, 2004: Piper PA-24-180 (N7573P), Ocean City, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's deliberate delay of rotation during the takeoff roll, and his subsequent loss of directional control.

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202643. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20495149&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photograph (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20495687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photo_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20494408&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N7573%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Mechanic statement (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 745 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20495741&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N7573P%20RCS%20Mechanics%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather reports and records (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20495771&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=METAR-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.

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