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August 8, 2004 · Piper PA-32R-301 · N4171D

Pittstown, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2004
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Pittstown, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-301
Tail Number
N4171D
Operator
George Tarantino
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04LA188

After initiating a go-around, the pilot felt the airplane was not climbing adequately. About 3/4 down the runway, he reduced the throttle and lowered the nose, to execute a forced landing to a field. The airplane then impacted a tree. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to obtain a proper climb rate during a go-around, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2004, at 1240 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N4171D, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an aborted landing at the Sky Manor Airport (N40), Pittstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Old Bridge Airport (3N6), Old Bridge, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was on short final approach for runway 25, a 2,439 foot-long and 50 foot-wide runway, when a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway. He initiated a go-around, retracted the landing gear, and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. When the pilot felt the airplane was not climbing adequately, he reduced the throttle and lowered the nose, to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. A witness observed the airplane "low and slow" on short final for runway 25. As it passed the approach end of the runway, which sloped upward, the airplane pitched up and increased power. The airplane descended to the runway, the main landing gear contacted the ground, the airplane again increased power, and climbed steeply to about 20-40 feet AGL. When the airplane was about three-quarters down the runway, it remained at a high angle-of-attack, and was "quite low." The witness lost sight of the airplane behind trees, but heard an impact several seconds later. The winds reported at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, 22 miles to the west, at 1251, were from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The density altitude was 1,324 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 EDT
Nearest AirportSky Manor Airport (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length2439 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-301
Tail NumberN4171D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGeorge Tarantino
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data