# NTSB NYC82FGT11: Piper PA-44-180, N36737, Mcsherrystown, PA, April 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1982, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Mcsherrystown, PA
- Location: 39.8035° N, 77.0199° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McSherrystown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8035&lon=-77.0199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGT11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGT11

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - landing lights - not used, pilot in command
  - terrain condition (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not used, airport personnel (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT NIGHT, THERE WERE SNOW SHOWERS AT THE AIRPORT. WHILE TURNING FINAL, HE TURNEDHIS LANDING LIGHTS ON. HOWEVER, HE REPORTED THAT HE COULD SEE BETTER WITH THE LANDING LIGHTS OFF, SO HE TURNED THEM OFF. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN ON THE GRASS RUNWAY, HE ELECTED TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO TAXI BACK DOWN THE RUNWAY TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, HE MOVED OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY TOWARD A DITCH THAT PROTRUDED 26 FT INSIDE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. THE DITCH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1654 FT FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY WHERE A STREAM CROSSED THROUGH A CULVERT, UNDER THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT THE DITCH HAD ERRODED INSIDE THERUNWAY LIGHTS AFTER THE AIRPORT WAS CERTIFIED. SIX YELLOW HALVES OF 55 GALLON DRUMS WERE USED TO MARK THE OBSTRUCTION, BUT THEY WERE NOT LIGHTED. AS THE PILOT WAS SLOWING NEAR THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND NOSEWHEEL DROPPED INTO THE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36737](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36737-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 44-7995006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (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: 44-7995006
- Airframe hours: 339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Fox Enterprises
- Registered owner: Fox Enterprises
- Departed: HARRISBURG, PA
- Destination: MCSHERRYSTOWN, PA
- Airport: HVV, Hanover, runway 9, 2,690 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 6,100 total, 40 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 120° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast

## 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 19820405008429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820405008429A), Apr 5, 1982: Piper PA44180, Mcsherrytown, PA, Substantial damage. Night landing without landing lights due to snowshowers. Ran into unlighted open ditch that protrudes into runway.

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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