# NTSB NYC03LA166: Piper PA-32R-301, N8146Y, Newburyport, MA, July 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 2003, 13:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Newburyport, MA - Coordinates: 42.795833, -70.84111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7958&lon=-70.8411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 57567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57567/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and his inadequate flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis While landing, the pilot observed a fence extending across the runway just prior to the numbers. The airplane then encountered a gust of wind, which caused the airplane to bank to the left, and the pilot recovered to a wings level attitude. As the airplane flew over the fence, the left wing dropped "uncomfortably" and the pilot corrected. The airplane then touched down hard, and the left tire blew. The airplane skidded to the left, off the side of the runway, and came to rest in a grass area adjacent to the runway. The winds reported at an airport located 12 miles to the south, at 1353, were from 240 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 2003, at 1355 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N8146Y, was substantially damaged while landing at the Plum Island Airport (2B2), Newburyport, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot entered the traffic pattern at Newburyport on a left downwind leg, at 1,000 feet. Once on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot reduced power to 17 inches of manifold pressure, and extended the landing gear. As he turned onto final, the pilot noticed a fence across the runway just prior to the numbers. The airplane then encountered a gust of wind, which caused the airplane to bank to the left, and the pilot recovered to a wings level attitude. As the airplane flew over the fence, the left wing dropped "uncomfortably" and the pilot corrected. The airplane then touched down hard, and the left tire blew. The airplane skidded to the left, off the side of the runway, and came to rest in a grass area adjacent to the runway. Review of the Airport Facilities Directory revealed that a fence was placed on the approach end of runway 28, and the threshold was displaced 300 feet. Runway 28 was a 2,105-foot-long, 50-foot-wide asphalt runway. The weather reported at Beverly Municipal Airport, 12 miles to the south, at 1353, included winds from 240 degrees at 9 knots, 10 miles visibility, and few clouds at 4,700 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8146Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8146Y), registered now, S/N 32R-8213036, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8213036 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald T. O'Buckley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FRG, Farmingdale, NY - Destination: 2B2, Newburyport, MA - Airport: 2B2, Plum Island Airport, runway 28, 2,105 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; recreational, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 50 in this make and model, 510 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: BVY, 12 nm away 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.