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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

December 7, 1993 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N4920J

Lumberton, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lumberton, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N4920J
Operator
Aviation Career Acadamy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC94LA036

THE CFI WAS GIVING A COMMERCIAL STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS, AND ON THIS APPROACH THEY WERE SIMULATING AN ENGINE OUT. ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 1, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW THE GLIDEPATH. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, APPLIED FULL POWER AND TRIED TO CLIMB; THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE REPORTED WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE, 300 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 13 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH DUE TO IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS A CROSSWIND.

Full Narrative

On Tuesday, December 7, 1993, at about 0845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N4920J, piloted by Mr. Richard Hill (certified flight instructor, CFI), collided with the terrain while on short final approach, for a landing at the Flying "W" Airport, Lumberton, New Jersey. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the two pilots were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the CFI's statement on the NTSB for 6120.1/2, the airplane was on short final for runway 01, when "...I experienced a wind-shear." The CFI said, "...after applying full power, I was unable to stop the descent before the aircraft impacted the ground." After impact the left main gear broke, followed by the collapse of the right main gear, the nose gear, and the propeller striking the ground. The CFI reported on Page 4 of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the winds at the time of the accident were, "...300 [degrees] at 10 knots, [with gusts to] 13 knots," which is consistent with a left crosswind for a landing on runway 01. According to FAA Inspector, Jesse Kern, the CFI was giving a commercial student instructions, and on this approach they were simulating an engine out. Mr. Kern wrote in his report, that the CFI told him: ...the student was on a glide path which would have put the aircraft on the runway numbers. On final approach a down draft caused the aircraft to descend below the path that would allow it to reach the runway. [The CFI] took over, applied full power and tried to climb, the aircraft struck the ground approximately 100 feet short of the runway...

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 EST
Nearest AirportFLYINGW (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length3496 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN4920J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAviation Career Acadamy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt, gusting 13 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data