# NTSB NYC97LA072: Piper PA-32-300, N9768C, Vincentown, NJ, April 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 1997, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Vincentown, NJ - Location: 39.9363° N, 74.7512° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vincentown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9363&lon=-74.7512&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39342 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39342/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an on ground loss of control. A contributing factor was a crosswind. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after touchdown on runway 5, he applied the brakes and the airplane swerved left. The airplane went of the left side of the runway and struck trees. FAA examination of the brake system did not reveal evidence of mechanical malfunction. The wind report for a nearby airport was 340 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 23 knots. ## Factual narrative On April, 9, 1997, at 1505 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N9768C, was substantially damaged during a landing at The Red Lion Airport, Vincentown, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight which originated from The South Jersey Regional Airport, Mount Holly, New Jersey, about 1440. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...Approached airport, circled field, observed wind sock. Setup for approach to Rwy 5. Approach normal touched down, started rollout, applied brakes, aircraft pulled to left side of the runway, skidded on grass, stopped at the edge of trees." An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the left wing struck a tree, was bent rearward, and was partially separated from the airplane. The 1455 observation at McGuire AFB, which was 10 NM from Red Lion airport on a heading of 060 degrees, reported the winds were from 340 degrees at 19 knots, with gusts to 23 knots. An FAA inspector stated in the FAA Form 8020-16, "...INSPECTION [of the airplane] SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE...." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9768C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9768C), registered now, S/N 32-7840116, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-78400116 - Airframe hours: 1276 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Carl J. Mikuletzky - Registered owner: Lakeside Group Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1996, 33 hours before - Departed: VAY, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ - Destination: N73 - Airport: N73, Red Lion, runway 5, 2,800 × 43 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 18 in this make and model, 424 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 19 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: WRI, 10 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 19970409005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970409005529A), Apr 9, 1997: Piper PA32300, Vincentown, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft left brake locked on landing, veered of runway and struck trees. 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.