# NTSB NYC98LA027: Piper PA-28-161, N2973Y, Pittstown, NJ, November 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 1997, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Location: 40.5659° N, 74.9793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKY MANOR (N40), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5659&lon=-74.9793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA027 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed during the approach, and her failure to perform a go-around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that she used runway 08 at the departure airport, so she expected to land on runway 07 at the destination airport. Approaching the airport she was 'surprised' to see traffic landing on runway 25 and called on the advisory frequency for the active runway. A pilot that just landed advised that he had used runway 25 and had encountered a crosswind. Upon landing, the pilot determined her speed was excessive but that inadequate runway remained to successfully abort the landing. She elected to steer the airplane to the infield sod where it collided with a fence. The pilot was issued a private pilot certificate three weeks prior to the accident. She reported 104 hours of flight experience, of which 3.7 hours were in make and model. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 1997, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2973Y, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway and struck a fence after landing at the Sky Manor Airport (N40), Pittstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY), exact time unknown. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to do some sightseeing en route to N40 for lunch. She departed Runway 08 at VAY and expected to land on runway 07 at N40. During the approach to N40 she was "surprised" to see traffic landing on Runway 25 and called on the advisory frequency for the active runway. A pilot that just landed advised that he had used Runway 25 and had encountered a crosswind. The accident pilot then entered the traffic pattern to land on Runway 25. She said: "I was a bit concerned knowing that the runway length was rather short. ...I made final preparations to land, set my third set of flaps, and completely reduced power, knowing that the plane has a strong tendency to float. I believe that I might have had somewhat of a tailwind at the time. As I touched down, I realized that my speed was in excess of what it should have been. However, I was not certain that I would be able to take off again...[I] felt committed to landing the aircraft." The pilot said she was unable to stop on the runway and steered the airplane onto the infield sod. According to a New Jersey Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics Memorandum: "...[The airplane] veered to the right and exited the runway approximately 100 [feet] from the end. The aircraft continued traveling and hit a large rock at the property line that sheared the nose gear. The aircraft slid across the adjoining driveway, struck and went through a wooden fence, at which time the right main gear went through the wing. The aircraft rotated to the right and came to a stop approximately 40 feet inside the fence line." Weather reported at the Allentown Airport, 22 miles west of N40, was: ceiling 7,500 overcast with 10 miles of visibility. The winds were from 120 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot was issued a private pilot certificate three weeks prior to the accident. She reported 104 hours of flight experience, of which 3.7 hours were in make and model. In the Recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), the pilot stated she should have received more instruction in this make and model airplane. Additionally, she stated a go-around should have been performed because her "...comfort level was not good." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2973Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2973Y), registered now, S/N 28-8016012, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8016012 - Airframe hours: 2923 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D-36 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Wayne Pullen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1997, 38 hours before - Departed: 7MY, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ - Destination: N40 - Airport: N40, Sky Manor Airport, runway 25, 2,439 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 4 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABE, 22 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 19971113044359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971113044359A), Nov 13, 1997: Piper PA28161, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Landed long. Steered off runway into sod to prevent an overrun. Sheared nose gear on a rock, ran thru a fence. ## Other investigations on N2973Y (1) 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 NYC81FNE30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FNE30), Sep 10, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N2973Y), Northampton, MA, 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. --- 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.