# NTSB NYC01LA200: Piper PA-28-180, N4915L, West Milford, NJ, July 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2001, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: West Milford, NJ - Coordinates: 41.128334, -74.345832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1283&lon=-74.3458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-25 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52915/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA200 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factor’s in this accident were a wind gust and the rocks located off the left side of the runway. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis The student pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 6, a 4,000 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the landing flare a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left and the airplane touched down on the left side of the runway. The airplane then veered off the left side of the runway and began to impact quarry stone and brush. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported 96 hours of total flight experience, which included 52 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 15 miles west-northwest of the accident site, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, were from 300 degrees at 10 knots, with 15 knot gusts. The reported winds at the same airport, about 30 minutes after the accident, were variable at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2001, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4915L, was substantially damaged while landing at the Greenwood Lake Airport (4N1), West Milford, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he entered the traffic pattern for runway 6, a 4,000-foot long, 60-foot wide, asphalt runway. During the landing flare, just before touchdown, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left and the airplane touched down on the left side of the runway. The airplane then veered off the left side of the runway and began to impact quarry stone and brush. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions; nor did the pilot report any. The pilot reported 96 hours of total flight experience, which included 52 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 15 miles west-northwest of 4N1, at 0953, were from 300 degrees at 10 knots, with 15 knot gusts. At 1053, the reported winds were variable at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4915L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4915L), registered now, S/N 28-4280, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-4280 - Airframe hours: 3206 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aviation Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 2001, 38 hours before - Departed: 4N1, West Milford, NJ - Destination: 4N1, WEST MILFORD, NJ - Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake, runway 6, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 52 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: FWN, 15 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 20010727022259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010727022259A), Jul 27, 2001: Piper PA28180, West Milford, NJ, No damage. (-23) Student pilot breslin was attempting to do solo landings in his aircraft at Greenwood Lake Airport, runway 06. The weather was clear with light winds.… ## Other investigations on N4915L (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 NYC76DFA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76DFA37), May 27, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N4915L), Hudson, 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.