# NTSB NYC98LA046: Piper PA-28-161, N2932X, Philadelphia, PA, December 16, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1997, 22:00 local (Dec 16, 1997, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Philadelphia, PA
- Location: 39.9523° N, 75.1638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Philadelphia, PA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9523&lon=-75.1638&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA046

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper distance and altitude during approach which resulted in an undershoot and collision with a fence.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot was reportedly practicing short field night landings at PNE to runway 24, a 7,000 foot long, 150 foot wide, asphalt runway.  During the 12th landing, the airplane collided with a fence approximately 950 feet from the approach end of runway 24, and the airplane came to rest along the right side of the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The winds at the airport were reported from 230 degrees at 8 knots.

## Factual narrative

On December 15, 1997, about 2200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2932X, was substantially damaged when it undershot the runway and collided with a fence while landing at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was reportedly practicing short field night landings at PNE to runway 24, a 7,000 foot long, 150 foot wide, asphalt runway.  During the 12th landing, the airplane collided with a fence approximately 950 feet from the approach end of runway 24, and the airplane came to rest along the right side of the runway.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

The winds at the airport were reported from 230 degrees at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2932X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2932X-2022-08-08), registration cancelled 2022-08-08, S/N 28-7916547, 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
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rao Chundu
- Departed: PNE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNE

## 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 19971215044599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971215044599A), Dec 15, 1997: Piper PA28161, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. Low on final. Flew thru 10FT fence. Wing hit post. Landed short. Lifted onto rwy. Veered off due brake hose torn off. (-23) see attached

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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