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NTSB Report
August 20, 1984 · Piper PA-28-161 · N4314L
Caldwell, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Caldwell, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N4314L
Operator
Macdan Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC84LA280
THE ACFT HIT THE SURFACE OF THE WATER DURING A LOW PASS WHICH WAS DESCRIBED BY A WITNESS AS 10-30 FT AGL & DONE IN A SERIES OF PASSES WITH 'WINGS WOBBLING' UNTIL THE PASS THAT DAMAGED THE GEAR & WING CAUSING THE PLT & ACFT TO DEPART THE AREA. UPON RETURNING TO DEPARTURE ARPT THE ACFT WAS LANDING & THE NOSE GEAR & RT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. PRIOR TO LANDING THE GEAR STRUT WAS PROTRUDING THRU THE TOP OF THE RT WING GIVING THE PLT A VISUAL CLUE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE ACFTS UNDERCARRIAGE. AFTER THE GEAR FINISHED COLLAPSING ON THE RWY, THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE SIDE FURTHER DAMAGING THE RT WING, RT GEAR, RT FLAP, PROP, NOSE GEAR AND COWLING.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT HIT THE SURFACE OF THE WATER DURING A LOW PASS WHICH WAS DESCRIBED BY A WITNESS AS 10-30 FT AGL & DONE IN A SERIES OF PASSES WITH 'WINGS WOBBLING' UNTIL THE PASS THAT DAMAGED THE GEAR & WING CAUSING THE PLT & ACFT TO DEPART THE AREA. UPON RETURNING TO DEPARTURE ARPT THE ACFT WAS LANDING & THE NOSE GEAR & RT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. PRIOR TO LANDING THE GEAR STRUT WAS PROTRUDING THRU THE TOP OF THE RT WING GIVING THE PLT A VISUAL CLUE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE ACFTS UNDERCARRIAGE. AFTER THE GEAR FINISHED COLLAPSING ON THE RWY, THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE SIDE FURTHER DAMAGING THE RT WING, RT GEAR, RT FLAP, PROP, NOSE GEAR AND COWLING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EDT
Nearest AirportEssex County (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length4553 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN4314L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMacdan Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 24 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT