# NTSB BFO93LA134: Piper PA-28-140, N8431R, Belmar, NJ, July 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1993, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Belmar, NJ
- Location: 40.1868° N, 74.1246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MONMOUTH EXEC (BLM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1868&lon=-74.1246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA134

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING.  OTHER RELATED FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND AND THE RAVINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, AN AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE TAKING THE ACTIVE RUNWAY, SO HE RADIOED THE AIRPLANE AND CONFIRMED HIS POSITION.  THE AIRPLANE ADVISED THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO LAND LONGER THAN PLANNED; DURING THE FLARE/TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE BALLOONED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ADDED SOME POWER AND AS HE PASSED THE BUILDINGS THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A RIGHT CROSSWIND, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WHEEL TOUCHING THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE AND HEADED TOWARD THE EXCAVATION FOR THE NEW RUNWAY.  HE STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO BRING THE AIRPLANE BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY, BUT THE RIGHT WHEEL SLIPPED OFF THE EDGE AND THE AIRPLANE SLID DOWN THE RAVINE.  HE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THERE WAS ADEQUATE SHOULDER ALONG THIS RUNWAY AS THE EXCAVATION COMES WITHIN 8 FEET OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8431R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8431R-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 28-22310, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22310
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter B Holmes
- Registered owner: Peter B Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1993
- Departed: BLM
- Destination: BLM
- Airport: BLM, Allaire, runway 21, 3,707 × 46 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 34 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TEB, 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 19930723025569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930723025569A), Jul 23, 1993: Piper PA28140, Belmar/Farmingd, NJ, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing in crosswind. Went into excavation eight ft off runway. Failed maintain runway alignment.

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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