# NTSB NYC85LA049: Piper PA-28-140, N3968K, Marlboro, NJ, December 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1984, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Marlboro, NJ
- Location: 39.4871° N, 75.3246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marlboro, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4871&lon=-75.3246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA049

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD ON RUNWAY 27 AT MARLBORO AIRPORT WHILE ON A SOLO FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED ANDTHE STUDENT PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 47 FLIGHT HOURS ALL OF WHICH WERE IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT FAILED TO FLARE AND COMPENSATE FOR A RAPID SINK RATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3968K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3968K), registered now, S/N 28-23852, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23852
- Airframe hours: 2548
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alfonso Murcia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 1984
- Airport: 2N8, Marlboro, runway 27, 2,170 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 47 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841226068119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841226068119A), Dec 26, 1984: Piper PA28140, Marlboro, NJ, Substantial damage. Solo student made a hard landing with damage to nose wheel, propeller and cowling.

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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