Montgomery County Airpark Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
Saturday, August 23, 2014 12:09 EDT

On August 23, 2014, about 1209 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9095J, registered to and operated by Old Cherokee LLC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Montgomery County Airpark (GAI), Gaithersburg, Maryland. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight to Essex County Airport, Caldwell, New Jersey. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that in preparation of the flight he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane using a laminated Piper checklist which he followed step by step. He then had the left fuel tank fueled, which he watched. About 20 to 25 minutes after fueling he checked both fuel tank sump drains and the fuel strainer for contaminants; none were found. He started the engine, obtained his IFR clearance, and taxied to the run-up area of runway 14. While there, he performed systems checks (run-up) using the laminated checklist, and noted everything was normal. He reported the magneto drops were normal with one drop slightly greater than the other with the difference being within the normal range. He obtained his IFR departure clearance, taxied onto the runway and being aware of the new engine, he applied partial power then released the brakes. He then added full power, and with the fuel selector positioned to the right tank believed the tachometer indicated 2,475 to 2,500 rpm. He reported that the airplane accelerated normally and noted that all instruments were in the green and indicating normal. He allowed the airplane to fly off the runway but could not recall the point along the length, but did state that the takeoff roll seemed normal. After becoming airborne he accelerated to and was climbing at Vy speed, and when the flight was about 100 feet above ground level, the engine surged only once. He stated that he was asked by the FAA inspector if he felt or heard the surge and he reported telling the FAA inspector that he heard the surge. He equated the surge to be similar as if the fuel to air ratio was leaned before shutdown. He leveled off, where the engine operated normally and the engine did not surge again. He also stated that when he leveled the nose "everything [was] as it should be." He was asked if the surging evidenced itself on the tachometer and he reported he was not sure because he was looking outside. He allowed the airplane to accelerate, "to good forward speed." He stated that at the point where the surge occurred there was insufficient runway remaining to land, and he was cognizant of needing to land if the engine quit. He allowed the speed to build and he relaxed the forward pressure on the control yoke allowing the airplane to climb. During a climb about 100 feet more, the engine "failed" or quit suddenly. At that point with trees, houses, and a road ahead he decided that an on-airport landing would be best. He reported trouble shooting procedures consisted of switching tanks, but this did not restore engine power. Following the loss of power he called on the radio to announce the engine failure and turned left towards an area north of the runway. At some point he turned off the fuel selector, but when asked if the propeller stopped he said he did not believe it did. He bled off airspeed, and recalled the airplane impacted the ground with the left wing first followed by the left main landing gear, and responded that he believed he was in controlled flight when the airplane impacted and he had not stalled the airplane. He did not believe he lost consciousness, and was assisted from the airplane. Two witnesses were interviewed by a NTSB National Resource Specialist (Aviation Systems Engineer) at GAI several hours after the accident. One witness who was located at a hangar at the departure end of runway 14 and is a pilot and airframe and powerplant mechanic reported hearing the engine hesitate then pick up again. The witness reported the engine sputtered again, and then quit. He reported the airplane banked to the left impacting the ground left wing low. The other witness who was in an airplane reported the accident airplane flew over him at 100 feet. He then heard the engine go to idle. The witness noticed the left wing drop and the airplane descended in a steep constant spiral to the ground. The witness secured the airplane he was in and ran to the accident site to render assistance.

Not Yet Reported