# NTSB NYC88LA081: Piper PA-24-260, N9281P, Chatham, MA, February 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1988, 21:10 local (Feb 12, 1988, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Chatham, MA
- Location: 41.6739° N, 69.9629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chatham, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6739&lon=-69.9629&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - sheared
  - landing gear,main gear - sheared

## Analysis

AFTER ABORTING TWO LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 24 AT CHATHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED BY RADIO TO USE RUNWAY 6. WHILE ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON RUNWAY 6, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF WHEN IT STRUCK A GRASS KNOLL. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON ITS BELLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9281P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9281P-1991-04-03), registration cancelled 1991-04-03, S/N 244781 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4781
- Airframe hours: 1391
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ron Girelli
- Registered owner: Ronald A Girelli
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Airport: 086, Chatham, runway 6, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 711 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 34 °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 19880212002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880212002329A), Feb 12, 1988: Piper PA24260, Chatham, MA, Substantial damage. Low time new private pilot landed short of the runway after two prior attempts to land.

## Other investigations on N9281P (2)

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.

- [NTSB DIA69F0193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0193-201652), Apr 26, 1969: Piper PA-24 (N9281P), Edgewater, MD, substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA68D0228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0228), May 19, 1968: Piper PA-24 (N9281P), Cape Charles, VA, substantial damage

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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