# NTSB NYC96LA081: Piper PA-24-260, N9101P, Matawan, NJ, March 31, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1996, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Matawan, NJ
- Location: 40.4110° N, 74.2365° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Matawan, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4110&lon=-74.2365&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA081

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance during final approach.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

The pilot planned to perform three landings to runway 27, a 2156 foot long, 40 foot wide runway with obstructions at both ends, for his recent currency experience.  During the third landing while on final approach, the pilot stated that the airplane sunk and struck the ground.  The airplane came to rest approximately 20 feet from the approach end of the runway.  The pilot reported that the weather was perfect, and he did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.  Additionally, postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On March 31, 1996, about 1335 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9101P, was substantially damaged when it landed short of runway 27, at the Malboro Airport, Matawan, New Jersey. The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.  There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct three landings to obtain his recent currency experience.  The pilot was conducting the landings to runway 27, which was a 2156 foot long, 40 foot wide runway, with obstructions at both ends.  During the third landing, while on final approach, the airplane sank and impacted the ground.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and stated that the weather was perfect.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest approximately 20 feet from the approach end of the runway.  Additionally, there were no preimpact anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9101P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9101P-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 24-4577, built 1966 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4577
- Airframe hours: 1932
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis E. Rezem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1996, 1 hours before
- Departed: 2N8
- Airport: 2N8, Marlboro, runway 27, 2,156 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 20 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 19960331005659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960331005659A), Mar 31, 1996: Piper PA24260, Matawan, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed short of runway, struck an embankment, landing gear was sheared off.

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.