# NTSB ERA26LA240: Piper PA-22-108, N5081Z, Westminster, MD, June 5, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 5, 2026, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Westminster, MD - Coordinates: 39.467018, -77.017432 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4670&lon=-77.0174&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 3, 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): 203192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA240 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## 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-22-108, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102204), [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-22-108, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102204), [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. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-108, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102204), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-108, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, shortly after rotation during takeoff the airplane suddenly turned to the left and departed the runway. The pilot immediately reduced engine power and attempted to steer the airplane toward an open field. The right wingtip subsequently struck a wall of terrain adjacent to the runway and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies of the flight control system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5081Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5081Z), registered now, S/N 22-8712, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-8712 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 1198 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2026, 11 hours before - Destination: 2W2, Westminster, MD - Airport: DMW, Carroll County Rgnl/Jack B Poage Fld, runway 16/34, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 86; injuries: minor; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,120 total, 358 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KCGS, 4 nm away - METAR: METAR KCGS 051455Z AUTO 01004KT 10SM CLR 29/13 A3007 RMK AO2 T02900133 ## 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 20260605007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260605007649A), Jun 5, 2026: Piper PA-22-108, Westminster, MD, Substantial damage. The airman rotated the aircraft at about 60 mph. The aircraft suddenly and abruptly turned to the left. On the left side of the runway is a solid terrain wall… ## Other investigations on N5081Z (2) 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 CHI78FEC34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEC34), Jun 6, 1978: Piper PA-22 (N5081Z), Fraser, MI, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI67F0355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0355), Nov 26, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N5081Z), Adrian, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203192. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20741786&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA mor statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20741727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20LA240-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 660 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20741009&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA240-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.