# NTSB NYC08CA066: Piper PA28-180, N4814L, Blue Bell, PA, December 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 20, 2007, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Blue Bell, PA
- Coordinates: 40.134445, -75.27639
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1344&lon=-75.2764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Philadelphia, PA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA066

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.

## 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 collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The solo student pilot of the Piper PA28 stated that he applied left rudder to compensate for a "slight" left crosswind while on approach to land on Runway 06. At touchdown, having "never let off left rudder,"  the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a culvert and two signs. A post flight inspection revealed damage to the propeller, nose landing gear, and firewall. The student pilot reported 78 total hours of flight experience, 31 hours in make and model, and reported no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane. At the time of the accident, the winds reported at the airport were from 280 degrees at 3 knots.

## Factual narrative

The solo student pilot of the Piper PA28-180, stated that he applied left rudder to compensate for a "slight" left crosswind while on approach to land on Runway 06. At touchdown, having "never let off left rudder,"  the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a culvert and two signs. A post flight inspection revealed damage to the propeller, nose landing gear, and firewall. The student pilot reported 78 total hours of flight experience, 31 hours in make and model, and reported no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane. At the time of the accident, the winds reported at the airport were from 280 degrees at 3 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4814L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4814L-2026-04-18), registration cancelled 2026-04-18, S/N 28-4154 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A4A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a4a) (registry code 42270, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4154
- Airframe hours: 3075
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman M. McAvoy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007, 79 hours before
- Departed: KLOM, Blue Bell, PA
- Destination: KLOM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LOM, Wings Field, runway 6

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 47; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 31 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KLOM

## 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 20071220831279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071220831279A), Dec 20, 2007: Piper PA28180, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On the student pilot's second solo landing of his first solo flight he compensated for a slight crosswind with left rudder. After touch down with left…

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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