# NTSB NYC06CA120: Piper PA-28-280, N5180L, Tangier Island, VA, May 24, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 24, 2006, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Tangier Island, VA
- Coordinates: 37.825, -75.997779
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8250&lon=-75.9978&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a ditch.  A factor was the rough runway condition.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he initiated a takeoff roll on runway 02, a 2,950-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  During rotation, the main landing gear traveled over bumps on the runway, and the airplane veered left.  The pilot attempted to correct the airplane, but the main landing gear traveled over another series of bumps on the runway, and the airplane veered further left.  The airplane subsequently traveled off the left side of the runway, and struck a ditch.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a Piper PA-28-180 stated that he initiated a takeoff roll on runway 2; a 2,950-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  During rotation, the main landing gear traveled over bumps on the runway, and the airplane veered left.  The pilot attempted to correct the airplane, but the main landing gear traveled over another series of bumps on the runway, and the airplane veered further left.  The airplane subsequently traveled off the left side of the runway, and struck a ditch.  The wind reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was from 340 degrees at 7 knots, varying from 289 degrees to 029 degrees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5180L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5180L), registered now, S/N 28-4466, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-280
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-4466
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John G. Tillery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TGI, Tangier Island, VA
- Destination: PVG, Portsmouth, VA
- Airport: TGI, Tangier Island Airport, runway 2, 2,950 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 31 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: TGI, 12 nm away

## 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 20060524007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060524007799A), May 24, 2006: Piper PA28180, Tangier, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff roll, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. He attempted an abort, but had veered off the runway into the grass. The…

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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