# NTSB BFO94LA046: Piper PA-32R-300, N23AL, Berlin, NJ, February 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1994, 07:35 local (12:35 UTC) - Place: Berlin, NJ - Location: 39.7784° N, 74.9478° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PINE VALLEY (19N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7784&lon=-74.9478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA046 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining clearance from obstacles (trees) during final approach which resulted in a collision with a tree and a subsequent uncontrolled descent until colliding with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis When the pilot arrived at his destination airport, he circled the airport to inspect the wind sock and runway conditions. The wind sock indicated near calm winds, but appeared to favor runway 05. The pilot said that because the runway is relatively short, he elected to approach and land in such a manner as to have as much runway left as possible. The pilot set up his approach for the runway and on final approach, the airplane's left main landing gear contacted a tree. The airplane veered to the left of the runway and contacted the ground. As the airplane was sliding to a stop, the left wing collided with a utility pole and was severed. ## Factual narrative On Tuesday, February 22, 1994, at 0735 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, N23AL, owned and piloted by Albert G. Suber, of New Ark, Delaware, collided with a tree during a landing approach to Camden County Airport, Berlin, New Jersey. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated in Wilmington, Delaware and was arriving at its destination at the time. The pilot stated that on final apporach the left main landing gear contacted a tree. The airplane turned sharply left. The pilot correctd his path but was unable to return to the runway. The airplane contacted the ground left of the runway and the nose gear was severed. The left wing of the airplane contacted a utility pole and was severed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23AL-1994-05-16), registration cancelled 1994-05-16, S/N 32R7780448 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7780448 - Airframe hours: 2062 - Engines: LYCOMING IO540K15D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Albert G. Suber - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1993, 114 hours before - Departed: ILG, NEW CASTLE, DE - Destination: NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 19N, Berlin/Camden County, runway 5, 3,100 × 45 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,071 total, 481 in this make and model, 955 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940222002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940222002769A), Feb 22, 1994: Piper PA32R300, Berlin, NJ, Substantial damage. Left main gear dragged in trees. Veered sharply left. Hit ground left of runway. Severed nose gear and wing on pole 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.