# NTSB BFO94LA016: Taylorcraft J-2, N19565, Pittstown, NJ, November 22, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 1993, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Location: 40.5659° N, 74.9793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKY MANOR (N40), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5659&lon=-74.9793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA016 ## Probable cause THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PRESENCE OF SUNGLARE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) ## Analysis DURING APPROACH TO A GRASS STRIP, THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS AIRPLANE'S CLEARANCE FROM TREES AND THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING IMPACTED A TREE. THE AIRPLANE SPUN AROUND THE TREE AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 100 FEET SHORT OF THE GRASS STRIP'S THRESHOLD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND THIS AFFECTED HIS PERIPHERAL VISION. ## Factual narrative On Monday, November 22, 1993, at about 1600 eastern standard time, a Taylor Cub J-2, N19565, owned, operated, and piloted by Everett L. True of Far Hills, New Jersey, collided with a tree about 100 feet short of the threshold of a grass strip which runs parallel to runway 25 at the Sky Manor Airport located in Pittstown, New Jersey. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated on his accident report form, "...I turned final the sun was coming through the [propeller] limiting my vision to the sides. I noted the altitude, airspeed, and turn and ball indicator and everything was right on target. Then, there was a sudden sink rate increase, so I applied full power." The pilot stated that after he applied full throttle, he had to increase the pitch of the airplane to avoid a 50 foot tree. He stated the airplane cleared the tree "...but was near a stall due to the high angle of attack. I dropped the nose to avoid a stall. I looked out the left side to check my altitude and it looked liked [the airplane was] 15 to 20 feet [above the ground]. At that moment the right wing struck a bush tree which I never saw." The pilot stated that the airplane spun 180 degrees around the tree and fell to the ground. During the turn, the airplane's left wing hit a tree, damaging the wings rear spar. The pilot stated that there were no airframe or engine anomalies prior to impacting the tree. A Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspector stated that there were obstructions (trees) on either side of the grass strip's approach area. The Safety Inspector stated that gliders and airplanes with a tailwheel frequently use the grass strip instead of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19565](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19565-2021-04-29), registration cancelled 2021-04-29, S/N 1765, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft J-2 - Registry model: [Piper J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-2) (registry code 7100402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A40 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a40-series) (registry code 17001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1765 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-40-4 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Everett L. True - Registered owner: Everett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: N40, Sky Manor Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 879 total, 27 in this make and model, 879 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EWR, 32 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 19931122046459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931122046459A), Nov 22, 1993: Piper J2PIPER, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Struck a tree 100 feet short and offside of runway turning final to land. Blinded by sun through prop blades. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.