# NTSB NYC03LA072: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8098Q, Berlin, NJ, March 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 2003, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Berlin, NJ - Coordinates: 39.778331, -74.947776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7783&lon=-74.9478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 56694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56694/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which led to an unsecured cowling and loss of aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the unsecured cowling. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - miscellaneous,airframe - not secured (contributing factor) - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis Prior to the accident flight, the pilot performed maintenance on the airplane's engine, with the cowling open. The pilot believed that after the maintenance, he did not properly secure the left side of the cowling. After takeoff on runway 23, about 300 feet above the ground, the left-side cowling unlatched and repeatedly struck the windshield. The pilot then made a left turn back towards the airport in an attempt to land on runway 05; however, the airplane landed hard on a grass area between runway 5 and a taxiway. Subsequently, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 2003, about 0745 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, N8098Q, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing after takeoff from Camden County Airport (19N), Berlin, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, he performed maintenance on the airplane's engine, with the cowling open. The pilot believed that after the maintenance, he did not properly secure the left side of the cowling. He subsequently departed on runway 23, a 3,102-foot long, 45-foot wide, asphalt runway. About 300 feet above the ground, the left-side cowling unlatched and repeatedly struck the windshield. The pilot then made a left turn back toward the airport in an attempt to land on runway 5. However, the airplane landed hard on a grass area between runway 5 and the taxiway. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that both main landing gear had sheared off the airplane, and the nose gear collapsed. Additionally, both wings and the fuselage were compressed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8098Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8098Q-2003-06-18), registration cancelled 2003-06-18, S/N 28R-8018001, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28RT-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-8018001 - Airframe hours: 5000 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rolf Worthmann - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 2,000 hours before - Departed: 19N, Berlin, NJ - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 19N, Camden County Airport, runway 23, 3,102 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 12, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 4,488 total, 4,556 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 14 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 20030327017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030327017699A), Mar 27, 2003: Piper PA28RT201, Berlin, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that the engine cowling came loose during takeoff. At 300 feet AGL, the pilot turned back to the runway and made an extremely hard… 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.