Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with a ditch.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing rollout in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane began to drift left. He attempted to maintain control to avoid a ground loop and continued to keep the nose straight as the airplane departed the runway into the grass. During the runway excursion, the airplane encountered a ditch that was hidden from view by tall grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA061 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 12, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Martinsville, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Blue Ridge (MTV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
DORNIER D027-B2
- N-number
- N27TQ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1956
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.