# NTSB NYC97LA078: Piper PA-32-300, N321HP, Belmar, NJ, April 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 1997, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Belmar, NJ - Location: 40.1868° N, 74.1246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MONMOUTH EXEC (BLM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1868&lon=-74.1246&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 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39347 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39347/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA078 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper decision to taxi off the runway into sand after the nose gear collapsed. A factor in the accident was the student pilot's improper flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,nose gear - overload - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot (SP)/owner of the airplane stated he remained in the traffic pattern and performed three takeoffs and landings, each to a full stop. During his fourth approach to runway 32, the airplane landed on the nose wheel, bounced into the air, then landed again. During the second touchdown the nose gear collapsed. The SP then steered the airplane off the left side of the runway into sand resulting in further damage. The SP had accumulated about 54 hours of total flight experience, of which 46 hours was in make and model. The SP's total solo experience was 3.5 hours, all in make and model, 1 hour of which was the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 1997, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N321HP, was substantially damaged during landing at the Allaire Airport, Belmar, New Jersey. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo instructional flight that originated at Allaire (BLM), about 0815. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot (SP)/owner of the airplane stated that he had remained in the BLM traffic pattern, and performed three takeoffs and landings, each to a full stop. During his fourth approach to runway 32, the airplane landed on the nose wheel, bounced into the air, then landed again. During the second touchdown the nose gear collapsed. The SP held the nose off, then using the brakes, steered the airplane off the left side of the runway into sand. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's report stated, the SP exited the left side of the runway where there was no taxiway, and the airplane nose gear sunk into loose sand. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. The SP had accumulated about 54 hours of total flight experience, of which 46 hours was in make and model. The SP's total solo experience was 3.5 hours, all in make and model, 1 hour of which was the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N321HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N321HP), registered now, S/N 32-7440099, built 1974 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 327440099 - Airframe hours: 3429 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Salvatore J. Tufaro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BLM - Airport: BLM, Allaire, runway 32, 5,080 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 46 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLM ## 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 19970416047159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970416047159A), Apr 16, 1997: Piper PA32300, Belmar, NJ, No damage. (-16) Airman competency in question due to airman allowing aircraft to porpoise on the runway after hard landing, damaging aircraft. 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.