# NTSB NYC04LA026: Piper PA-28-181, N80852, Montauk, NY, November 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2003, 20:20 local (Nov 7, 2003, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Montauk, NY - Coordinates: 41.076667, -71.92028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0767&lon=-71.9203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 58299 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58299/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control after performing an evasive maneuver to avoid a deer crossing the unlit runway, which resulted in a collision with trees. Factors related to the accident were the nighttime conditions, the inoperative runway lighting system, and the deer crossing 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 - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inoperative - light condition - night (contributing factor) - object - animal(s) (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he approached the airport area and attempted to turn on the pilot controlled lighting system at the airport. After several attempts, the only airport lighting the pilot observed illuminated was the windsock. The pilot continued the approach to the airport, and made a "low pass" over the runway to scare any deer away. The pilot then entered a left downwind for the runway, and elected to land without runway lights, due to ambient lighting. After the airplane touched down on the runway, during the rollout, the pilot observed deer crossing in front of the airplane from left to right. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to avoid the deer; however, the left wing struck a small stand of trees, substantially damaging the wing. According to the airport manager, the lighting system was tested the following morning, and all lighting except the runway lights illuminated. On following day, the lighting was tested again, and all lights illuminated. The manager added that it had rained the day before the accident, and the lighting control box was wet when examined. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2003, at 2020 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N80852, was substantially damaged while landing at the Montauk Airport (MTP), Montauk, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at the Linden Municipal Airport (LDJ), Linden, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he approached the Montauk area and attempted to turn on the pilot controlled lighting system at the airport. After several attempts, the only airport lighting the pilot observed illuminated was the windsock. The pilot continued the approach to the airport, and made a "low pass" over runway 24 to scare any deer away. The pilot then entered a left downwind for the runway, and elected to land without runway lights, due to ambient lighting. After the airplane touched down on the runway, during the rollout, the pilot observed deer crossing in front of the airplane from left to right. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to avoid the deer; however, the left wing struck a small stand of trees, substantially damaging the wing. According to the airport manager at Montauk, the lighting system was tested the following morning, and all lighting except the runway lights illuminated. On following day, the lighting was tested again, and all lights illuminated. The manager added that it had rained the day before the accident, and the lighting control box was wet when examined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80852](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80852-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 28-8090081, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-8090081 - Airframe hours: 4511 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Martin Pederson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2003, 4,423 hours before - Departed: LBJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: MTP, Montauk, NY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MTP, Montauk Airport, runway 24, 3,258 × 85 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 14, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,046 total, 906 in this make and model, 1,007 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MTP ## 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 20031106030569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031106030569A), Nov 6, 2003: Piper PA28181, Montauk, NY, Destroyed. (-23) 11/6/03 Approximately 2145 local time. The VFR flight from linden municipal airport, linden NJ (ldj), to Montauk Airport, Montauk point, NY (mtp) was… 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.