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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 22, 1995 · Piper PA-28-235 · N9390W

Poestenkill, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Poestenkill, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N9390W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA168

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE APPROACH, HE 'DID NOT LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE AIRPORT SINCE THE RUNWAY (2670 X 50 FT) WAS SHORT AND NARROW WITH TREES ON THE APPROACH (END). HOWEVER, DECIDED TO LAND SINCE I WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET NY SON THERE. I WAS HIGH AND FAST, BUT DECIDED TO MAKE A LANDING DESPITE POOR APPROACH.' WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND THEN 'PORPOISED' DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE EXAMINATION OF THE RUNWAY REVEALED THE PROPELLER AND TAIL SKID STRUCK THE SURFACE. THE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, WAS EJECTED FROM HIS SEAT THRU THE RIGHT DOOR, AND ONTO THE RIGHT WING DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's decision to continue an approach during which the airplane was high and fast, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. The pilot's failure to use the seat belt was a factor.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 1995, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-235, N9390W, was substantially damaged while landing at Rensselaer County Airport, Poestenkill, New York. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and had departed Berlin, New Hampshire, at 0830. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: I arrived at Rensselaer Airport at 1000 hrs after a 1 1/2 hr flight from Berlin, NH (BML). Did not like the looks of the airport since the runway was short and narrow with trees on approach to RW [runway] 36. However decided to land since I was supposed to meet my son here. I was high and fast but decided to make a landing despite poor approach. Wrong Decision...I was thrown thru right door onto wing.... The FAA reported that witnesses observed the airplane fly the traffic pattern at a lower than normal altitude, and then turn final for runway 36. The winds were reported as calm, and the airplane was described as high and fast on final approach. After touchdown, the airplane porpoised on the runway, and left marks from the tail skid and propeller on the runway center line. While in a nose high attitude, power was applied. The airplane yawed nose left, and departed the runway on the left side, about 2/3s of the way down the runway. It then struck a low embankment and trees, which separated the left wing from the fuselage. In addition, the right wing and fuselage were wrinkled. When interviewed, the pilot reported he had removed his seat belt a few minutes earlier, and believed he had not re-fastened it at the time of the accident. According to the FAA Airport Facility Directory, runway 36 was 2670 feet long, 50 feet wide, and had an asphalt surface.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportRensselaer County (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length2670 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN9390W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data