# NTSB NYC00LA089: Piper PA-28-161, N2761M, West Milford, NJ, March 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2000, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: West Milford, NJ - Location: 41.1284° N, 74.3465° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GREENWOOD LAKE (4N1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1284&lon=-74.3465&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor in this accident was the gusty crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis While landing on Runway 6, a 4,000 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway, the airplane began to veer to the left and the pilot attempted a go-around. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, where it began to strike rocks and bushes. The airplane then entered a gully, where it came rest, about 350 feet before the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles south of the accident site, were from 320 degrees, at 11 knots, with 16 knot gusts. Additionally, a witness stated that at the time of the accident the crosswind was 'strong and gusty.' ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2000, about 1235 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2761M, was substantially damaged while landing at the Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 1100. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was landing on Runway 6, a 4,000 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot said the airplane touched down about 2,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway and to the left of the runway center line. When the airplane began to drift to the left, the pilot attempted a go-around. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway, and began to strike rocks and bushes. The airplane then entered a gully, where it came rest, about 350 feet before the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles south of the accident site, at 1253, were from 320 degrees, at 11 knots, with 16 knot gusts. Additionally, a witness stated that at the time of the accident the crosswind was "strong and gusty." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2761M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2761M-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 28-7816308, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7816308 - Airframe hours: 7534 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hortman Aviation Services Inc. - Registered owner: Robert Simpson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 2000, 60 hours before - Departed: PNE, PHILADELPHIA, PA - Destination: 4N1 - Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake, runway 6, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 289 total, 274 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CDW, 18 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 20000305007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000305007699A), Mar 5, 2000: Piper PA28161, West Milford, NJ, No damage. (-23) Landed on runway 6 during a strong 90 degree crosswind, aircraft veered off the center line pilot attempted to execute a "go around", lost control of… 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.