# NTSB ERA14CA119: Piper PA 38-112, N381PT, West Milford, NJ, February 11, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 11, 2014, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: West Milford, NJ - Coordinates: 41.128334, -74.346664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1283&lon=-74.3467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88793/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88793 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA119 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-38-112, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private rated pilot-in-command (PIC), who was seated in the right seat, stated that the wind on approach to runway 24 was from 280 degrees at 6 knots. At touchdown slightly left of centerline with the nose turned to the left, the airplane veered to the left which he was unable to correct. The airplane then skidded into a snowbank. The PIC and operator reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative The private rated pilot-in-command (PIC), who was seated in the right seat, stated that the wind on approach to runway 24 was from 280 degrees at 6 knots. At touchdown slightly left of centerline with the nose turned to the left, the airplane veered to the left which he was unable to correct. The airplane then skidded into a snowbank. The PIC and operator reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N381PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N381PT-2014-06-17), registration cancelled 2014-06-17, S/N 38-78A0002, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78A0002 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5181 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Connecticut Flight Academy - Registered owner: International Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 20, 2014, 24 hours before - Departed: HFD, Hartford, CT - Destination: 4N1, West Milford, NJ - Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake Airport, runway 24, 3,471 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 24, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 160 total, 160 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 55.9 in the last 90 days, 26.5 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 16, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 96.5 total, 29.6 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 29.6 in the last 90 days, 29.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: FWN, 13 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 20140211002409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140211002409A), Feb 11, 2014: Piper PA-38-112, Greenwood Lake, NJ, Substantial damage. A Piper PA-38 airplane, N381PT landed at Greenwood Lake Airport (4N1), NJ, on runway 24; an uncontrolled airport. Upon touchdown at a significant angle to the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88793. 10.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411369&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report and Record (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of Skid Marks on Runway (Digital Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20Skid%20Marks%20on%20Runway%20(Digital%20Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. View Depicting the Resting Location of Airplane (Digital Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Resting%20Location%20of%20Airplane%20(Digital%20Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.