Summary
On December 07, 1993, a Piper PA-28R-180 (N4920J) was involved in an incident near Lumberton, NJ. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH DUE TO IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS A CROSSWIND.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC94LA036. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4920J.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH DUE TO IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS A CROSSWIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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...
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC94LA036