# NTSB NYC93LA116: Gritter Quest AIR 20, N116CP, Baltimore, MD, June 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1993, 11:17 local (15:17 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170448, -76.669952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1704&lon=-76.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA116

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR TIRE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH A TAXIWAY SIGN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS COMPLETING A 15 MINUTE FLIGHT FROM ONE AIRPORT TO ANOTHER.  AS THE PILOT WAS LANDING HE THOUGHT THAT HE HAD A SOFT OR FLAT TIRE.  WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE SETTLED ONTO THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE SWERVED LEFT, OFF OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED A TAXIWAY SIGN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TIRE WAS NEW WHEN INSTALLED 1 WEEK PRIOR.  THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE HAD RUPTURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N116CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116CP-1995-09-14), registration cancelled 1995-09-14, S/N 0003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRITTER QUEST AIR 20 (QUEST AIR)
- Registry model: [Gritter Richard J QUESTAIR 20](https://openairdocs.org/model/gritter-richard-j-questair-20) (registry code 05618NR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0003
- Airframe hours: 504
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-G 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Amp Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Amp Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1993, 45 hours before
- Departed: CGE, CAMBRIDGE, MD
- Airport: BWI, Baltimore-Washington, runway 33, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 460 in this make and model, 9,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 1 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 19930617019219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930617019219A), Jun 17, 1993: Amtrjg QUESTAIR20, Baltimore, MD, Substantial damage. Left main tire ruptured on landing. Veered off runway. Struck a taxiway sign.

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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