# NTSB NYC98LA087: Piper PA-28-180, N44181, Warren, PA, April 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 1998, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Warren, PA - Coordinates: 41.840164, -79.140449 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8402&lon=-79.1404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39550/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=39550 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was on a stabilized approach at 50 feet AGL (Above Ground Level), with full flaps and indicating 70 knots, when the airplane developed a high sink rate. At 30 feet, the pilot tried to arrest the excessive rate of descent with power. The airplane struck a drop off on the approach end of Runway 24, shearing the landing gear before coming to rest upright 40 feet down the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 1998, at 1915 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N44181, was substantially damaged while landing to Warren Airpark, Warren, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Tappahannock, Virginia, approximately 1835. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. He also stated the airplane was on a stabilized approach at 50 feet, with full flaps and indicating 70 knots, when the airplane developed a "high sink rate." At 30 feet, the pilot tried to arrest the excessive rate of descent with power. The airplane struck a drop off on the approach end of Runway 24, shearing the landing gear before coming to rest upright 40 feet down the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector described the 15 foot drop, located 100 feet short of the landing threshold, as vertical. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44181](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44181-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 28-7405225, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7405225 - Airframe hours: 2414 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth M. Alsop - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1997, 15 hours before - Departed: W79, TAPPAHANNOCK, PA - Destination: 7PA1 - Airport: 7PA1, Warren Airpark, runway 24, 1,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 625 total, 400 in this make and model, 542 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KBF, 30 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 19980402009409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980402009409A), Apr 2, 1998: Piper PA28180, Warren, PA, Destroyed. Landed short. Sheared landing gear and other damage. (.4)the airplane was on a stabilized approach at 50 feet AGL (above ground level), with full flaps and… ## Other investigations on N44181 (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 MIA75DLD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DLD20), Aug 29, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N44181), Lakeland, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 1998, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=39550. 1.4 MB in all. - Supplement S (item 1, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40088596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - Telephone Memorandum for Record (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Telephone%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Redacted.PDF 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.