# NTSB ERA23LA107: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8282K, Old Bridge, NJ, January 1, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 1, 2023, 19:30, time zone not recorded - Place: Old Bridge, NJ - Coordinates: 40.333721, -74.342052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3337&lon=-74.3421&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106560/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106560 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA107 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during the landing approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to stay in the airport traffic pattern and make two full-stop landings to meet night currency requirements. The pilot described that shortly after takeoff he encountered an unexpected indication while retracting the landing gear and that one of the navigation radios turned off and then back on again. He then extended the landing gear and subsequently noted no abnormal indication. He continued the in the traffic pattern and while on final approach to the runway noted that he was “low,” had a clear view of the runway, and did not see any trees or other obstructions. He then increased engine power before he heard the sounds of (trees) striking the airplane. He could see the runway in front of him, so he landed the airplane and taxied uneventfully to his hangar. Both of the airplane’s wings and horizontal stabilizers were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8282K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8282K), registered now, S/N 32R-8129002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8129002 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 3790 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2022, 18 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 3N6, Old Bridge, runway 24, 3,594 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 483 total, 154 in this make and model, 316 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BLM, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KBLM 012356Z AUTO 25006KT 10SM SCT080 08/05 A3004 RMK AO2 SLPNO T00830050 10133 20083 53021= ## 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 20230101004429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230101004429A), Jan 1, 2023: Piper PA-32R-301T, Old Bridge, NJ, Substantial damage. While performing takeoffs and landings for night currency, [privacy data omitted] experienced an electrical/gear issue that included temporary loss of… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106560. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14978710&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_N8282K_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14959301&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N8282K%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot interview (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14962183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20_%20Pilot%20Interview_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14959267&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA23LA107%20Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.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.