# NTSB NYC00LA221: Piper PA28-235, N8809W, Chester, CT, August 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2000, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Chester, CT - Location: 41.4032° N, 72.4509° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chester, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4032&lon=-72.4509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA221 ## Probable cause The CFI's delayed remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis The private pilot was performing a soft field landing as part of a biennial flight review that was being conducted by a certificated flight instructor (CFI). The airplane was on approach to a 2,566 foot long, asphalt runway, with a displaced threshold of 559 feet. According to the CFI, when the airplane was on short final, the airplane entered a 'down draft that greatly increased the sink rate.' As he was about to order a go-around, the private pilot applied full engine power and raised the airplane's nose; however, the airplane contacted bushes and a fence located prior to the runway threshold. A witness stated that the airplane looked 'low and slow' while on final approach. As the airplane continued to descend towards the fence which preceded the runway, he observed the airplane 'pitch up abruptly' and then suddenly pitch back down. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. Winds reported at an airport about 24 miles east of the airport, were from 240 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2000, about 1730 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA28-235, N8809W, was substantially damaged while landing at the Chester Airport (3B9), Chester, Connecticut. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was performing a soft field landing as part of a biennial flight review that was being conducted by the CFI. The airplane was on approach to Runway 17, a 2,566 foot long, asphalt runway, with a displaced threshold of 559 feet. According to the CFI, when the airplane was on "short final," the airplane entered a "down draft that greatly increased the sink rate." As he started to order a go-around, the private pilot applied full engine power and raised the airplane's nose; however, the airplane contacted bushes and a fence located prior to the runway threshold. A witness waiting for takeoff at the Runway 17 "hold-short" line stated that the airplane looked "low and slow" while on final approach. As the airplane continued to descend towards the fence which preceded the runway, he observed the airplane "pitch up abruptly" and then suddenly pitch back down. He was not able to hear the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any. Winds reported at an airport about 24 miles east of 3B9, at 1756, were from 240 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8809W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8809W-2002-08-14), registration cancelled 2002-08-14, S/N 28-10354, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10354 - Airframe hours: 2160 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: William K. Kirkman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2000, 51 hours before - Departed: 3B9 - Airport: 3B9, Chester, runway 17, 2,566 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,700 total, 4 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GON, 24 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 20000808040159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000808040159A), Aug 8, 2000: Piper PA28235, Chester, CT, Substantial damage. (.4)On August 8, 2000, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28-235, N8809W, was substantially damaged while landing at the Chester Airport (3B9),… ## Other investigations on N8809W (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 NYC69F0201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69F0201), Sep 22, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N8809W), Canandaigua, NY, 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.