# NTSB NYC03LA047: Piper PA-18A 150, N6780B, Blairstown, NJ, December 30, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 2002, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Blairstown, NJ
- Coordinates: 40.971111, -74.997497
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9711&lon=-74.9975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA047

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after touchdown, the airplane drifted left.  It departed the left side of the runway, struck a snow bank, and came to rest upright.  The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On December 30, 2002, about 1330 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18A 150, N6780B, was substantially damaged while landing at Blairstown Airport (1N7), Blairstown, New Jersey.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he was performing full-stop landings on runway 25; a 3,100-foot long, 70-foot wide, asphalt runway.  During his fifth landing, after touchdown, the airplane drifted left.  The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, struck a snow bank, and came to rest upright.  The pilot added that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

The pilot reported a total flight experience of 1,300 hours; of which, 10 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed damage to the propeller, left wing, and fuselage.

The reported wind was calm at an airport approximately 15 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1353.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6780B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6780B), registered now, S/N 18-5014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A 150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5014
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas B. Ferry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 2002, 10 hours before
- Departed: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ
- Destination: 1N7
- Airport: 1N7, Blairstown Airport, runway 25, 3,100 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 10, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 1,300 total, 10 in this make and model, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 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 20021230037759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021230037759A), Dec 30, 2002: Piper PA18A150, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was practicing landings on runway 25 at Blairstown Airport (1N7), NJ. While attempting to exit the runway to the left side on a taxiway, the…

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.

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