# NTSB NYC04LA188: Piper PA-32R-301, N4171D, Pittstown, NJ, August 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2004, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.566112, -74.978614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5661&lon=-74.9786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59861/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA188 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain a proper climb rate during a go-around, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, go-around (vfr) - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, go-around (vfr) - go-around - aborted, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After initiating a go-around, the pilot felt the airplane was not climbing adequately. About 3/4 down the runway, he reduced the throttle and lowered the nose, to execute a forced landing to a field. The airplane then impacted a tree. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2004, at 1240 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N4171D, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an aborted landing at the Sky Manor Airport (N40), Pittstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Old Bridge Airport (3N6), Old Bridge, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was on short final approach for runway 25, a 2,439 foot-long and 50 foot-wide runway, when a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway. He initiated a go-around, retracted the landing gear, and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. When the pilot felt the airplane was not climbing adequately, he reduced the throttle and lowered the nose, to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. A witness observed the airplane "low and slow" on short final for runway 25. As it passed the approach end of the runway, which sloped upward, the airplane pitched up and increased power. The airplane descended to the runway, the main landing gear contacted the ground, the airplane again increased power, and climbed steeply to about 20-40 feet AGL. When the airplane was about three-quarters down the runway, it remained at a high angle-of-attack, and was "quite low." The witness lost sight of the airplane behind trees, but heard an impact several seconds later. The winds reported at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, 22 miles to the west, at 1251, were from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The density altitude was 1,324 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4171D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4171D-2006-09-25), registration cancelled 2006-09-25, S/N 3246153, built 1999 (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: 3246153 - Airframe hours: 747 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George Tarantino - Registered owner: George Tarantino - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 2004, 52 hours before - Departed: 3N6, Old Bridge, NJ - Destination: N40, Pittstown, NJ - Airport: N40, Sky Manor Airport, runway 25, 2,439 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 24, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 613 total, 448 in this make and model, 567 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: ABE, 22 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 20040808022339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040808022339A), Aug 8, 2004: Piper PA32R301, Pittstown, NJ, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was on approach to runway 25 at N40, Sky Manor Airport and initiated a go-around. Aircraft failed to gain altitude and contacted the ground… 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.