# NTSB ERA09CA322: Piper PA-28-181, N811SA, Caldwell, NJ, May 31, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2009, 17:38 local (21:38 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, NJ - Coordinates: 40.875278, -74.281387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8753&lon=-74.2814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 73963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA322 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73963/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73963 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA322 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that he could operate the rudder pedals without interference. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during landing the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway prior to touchdown. He attempted to correct with right rudder application but was unable because his shoe was lodged between an object and the rudder pedal. Slight aileron input was ineffective and additional aileron correction was not applied in order to prevent the right wing from contacting the runway. As the pilot applied full power for a go-around, the left flap contacted a runway edge light. The go-around was routine and the pilot returned and executed a normal landing. The left flap and left portion of the stabilator incurred damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities present with the airplane prior to the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during landing the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway prior to touchdown. He attempted to correct with right rudder application but was unable because his shoe was lodged between an object and the rudder pedal. Slight aileron input was ineffective and additional aileron correction was not applied in order to prevent the right wing from contacting the runway. As the pilot applied full power for a go-around, the left flap contacted a runway edge light. The go-around was routine and the pilot returned and executed a normal landing. The left flap and left portion of the stabilator incurred damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities present with the airplane prior to the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N811SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N811SA-2021-12-08), registration cancelled 2021-12-08, S/N 2843619, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843619 - Airframe hours: 505 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Schultz Neal B - Registered owner: Schultz Neal B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2008 - Departed: N66, Oneonta, NY - Destination: CDW, Caldwell, NY - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: CDW, Essex County Airport, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,032 total, 800 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: CDW ## 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 20090531010669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090531010669A), May 31, 2009: Piper PA28181, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft veered off left during landing on runway 22, struck and severed a runway light. Damage sustained to left inboard flap and left horizontal… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73963. 340 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.