# NTSB BFO95LA038: Piper PA-28-140, N6131W, Ocean City, NJ, March 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1995, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Ocean City, NJ - Location: 39.2635° N, 74.6075° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OCEAN CITY MUNI (26N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2635&lon=-74.6075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA038 ## Probable cause the private pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing/aborted landing sequence. Related factors are the unfavorable wind conditions and high obstructions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - object - fence ## Analysis THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN ON RUNWAY 06, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT 'LOST RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.' HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND ADDED FULL POWER. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE PILOT REALIZED THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR OBSTACLES IN ITS FLIGHT PATH SO HE DECIDED TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. A WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY LOCATED 12 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED WINDS OUT OF 310 DEGREES AT A VELOCITY OF 16 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 21 KNOTS, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On Sunday, March 26, 1995, at 0845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6131W, collided with a fence during an aborted landing on runway 6 at the Ocean City Airport near Ocean City, New Jersey. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed Pittstown, New Jersey, about 0800, with an intended destination of Ocean City. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was configured for landing and during the landing flare the airplane encountered a wind gust and rolled to the right. The pilot stated that he thought the landing gear contacted the runway but he lost "runway alignment" and decided to go around. He reported that he applied full power but the airplane did not gain sufficient airspeed and altitude to clear condominiums in its flight path. He stated he decided to make an off airport landing in an area adjacent to the condominium. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane and during the landing roll the airplane collided with a fence. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions moments prior to the accident or during the accident sequence. A witness to the accident stated, "I observed the left wing go up and the right wing scrape the runway. He applied full power for a go around. The aircraft was at stalling speed and he flew into the chain link fence that surrounds the condo." The witness estimated the winds were "...blowing at 17 knots...almost a direct crosswind." He reported that several airplanes had landed earlier without difficulty. Another witness stated, "Pilot flared to land - at touchdown w/nose still in air a strong wind gust picked A/C up and with L[eft] wing high pilot added full power...[the aircraft] continued to wallow nose high [and] L + R bank - below controllable airspeed...A/C touched down the sandy area 100 [feet] prior to impact w/ a main gear tire...for about 15 [feet] - skipped 30 [feet] then touched again for another 15 [feet] - up again for 30 [feet] than hit cyclone fence...." Postaccident examination of the accident site revealed marks on the right side of runway 06 about 820 feet from the approach end. The airplane came to rest about 900 feet from the approach end of runway 06 and 315 feet to the right of the runway's centerline. The airplane's wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. A surface weather observation made at 0852, at the Atlantic City International Airport, in Atlantic City, New Jersey (12 nautical miles north-northeast of the accident site) reported: Ceiling measured 11,000 broken, 20,000 broken; 12 miles visibility; temperature 48; dew point 19; wind 310 at 16 knots, with gusts to 21 knots; altimeter 30.06. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6131W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6131W-1995-07-26), registration cancelled 1995-07-26, S/N 2820148 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-20148 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fred Parella - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: N40, PITTSTOWN, NJ - Destination: 26N - Airport: 26N, Ocean City Municipal, runway 6, 2,977 × 59 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 22 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ACY, 12 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 19950326005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950326005359A), Mar 26, 1995: Piper PA28140, Ocean City, NJ, Substantial damage. Wind gust landing caused right roll. Began go around. Saw obstacles. Aborted. Hit fence off end of runway landing. ## Other investigations on N6131W (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK67D0234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0234), Jan 3, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N6131W), Arcata, CA, substantial damage 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.