# NTSB ATL07LA104: Piper PA-28-161, N4337P, Gardner, MA, July 14, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 2007, 15:51 local (19:51 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, MA
- Coordinates: 42.54972, -72.016113
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5497&lon=-72.0161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA104

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated she "landed long and fast," and decided to abort the landing. During the climb out, the pilot "lost control," and the airplane collided with trees located near the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Factual narrative

On July 14, 2007 at 1551 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N4337P, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during an aborted landing at Gardner Municipal Airport (GDM), Gardner, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to Piper 37P LLC and operated by the private pilot, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot stated that she "landed long and fast," and decided to abort the landing. During the initial climb following the aborted landing, she "lost control of the airplane," and subsequently collided with trees near the departure end of the runway. She did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

The airplane was examined following the accident by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The inspector did not note any flight control or other obvious mechanical anomalies associated with the airframe or engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4337P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4337P-2010-03-11), registration cancelled 2010-03-11, S/N 28-8416044, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416044
- Airframe hours: 12163
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007, 98 hours before
- Departed: 0B5, Montague, MA
- Destination: GDM, Gardner, MA
- Airport: GDM, Gardner Muni, runway 36, 2,999 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 112 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: KFIT, 11 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 20070714017249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070714017249A), Jul 14, 2007: Piper PA28161, Gardner, MA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot attempted a go-around after a fast and long downwind landing. Aircraft impacted trees past end of runway overrun. Substantial damage and major…

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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