What happened
On a flight originating from Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a twin-engine aircraft was traveling to Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81) for a mechanical inspection. During the approach to runway 03, the pilot confirmed the landing gear was properly extended via the cockpit position indicators. Upon touchdown, the aircraft suddenly drifted toward the left side of the runway. Despite the pilot applying maximum right rudder, the plane continued its leftward trajectory, exiting the paved surface. The aircraft subsequently collided with several trees and caught fire.
There were two occupants on board: the private pilot, who sustained no injuries, and a passenger holding a commercial pilot rating, who suffered minor injuries. The aircraft, a 197 and 77-model twin-engine plane, sustained substantial damage during the excursion.
Findings
At the time of the accident, the flight was being conducted under instrument flight rules, though visual meteorological conditions were present. Weather observations from a nearby station indicated winds from 330 degrees at 13 knots with 10 miles of visibility. The aircraft was being repositioned to allow an insurance adjuster and a mechanic to inspect previous repairs related to damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The aircraft's maintenance records showed the most recent annual inspection had been performed approximately three hours prior to the incident.