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NTSB Report

June 1, 2008 · Piper PA-28-161 · N3024Z

Wildwood, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wildwood, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N3024Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC08CA200

The pilot of the PA-28-161 was making a straight-in visual approach on a "very dark" night. He reported that the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) showed "glide good with two white and two red," and the altimeter indicated 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when he was approximately 2 miles north of the airport. The pilot did not reference the altimeter or PAPI again, and did not turn on the landing light. The runway was equipped with high intensity runway edge lights, which the pilot activated. About 1/2 mile from the airport, he could see car headlights on the road just before the airport fence. Upon hearing a "loud bang" and feeling an impact with trees to the right wing, the pilot applied full power, pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane rolled right. He was able to climb the airplane and achieve wings-level flight with the application of full left aileron. He flew a traffic pattern and returned to land with "heavy left aileron and rudder."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot of the PA-28-161, he was making a straight-in visual approach on a "very dark" night. The approach was to runway 19, a 4,998-foot long, 150-foot wide, asphalt runway. He reported that the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) showed "glide good with two white and two red," and the altimeter indicated 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when he was approximately 2 miles north of the airport. The pilot did not reference the altimeter or PAPI again, and did not turn on the landing light. The runway was equipped with high intensity runway edge lights, which the pilot activated. About 1/2 mile from the airport, he said that he could see car headlights on the road just before the airport fence. Upon hearing a "loud bang" and feeling an impact with trees on the right wing, the pilot applied full power, pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane rolled right. He was able to climb the airplane and achieve wings-level flight with the application of full left aileron. He flew a traffic pattern and returned to land with "heavy left aileron and rudder." Inspection of the airplane after landing revealed that the right wing had sustained substantial damage. Reported weather at the airport about the time of the accident included a broken ceiling at 400 feet, wind 190 at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:30 EDT
Nearest AirportCape May County Airport (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length4998 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN3024Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind190° @ 11 kt, gusting 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time02:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data