N16491

Substantial
None

PIPER PA 28-140S/N: 28-7325285

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 16, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA079
Location
Princeton, NJ
Event ID
20150519X90449
Coordinates
40.399166, -74.665557
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, resulting in a runway excursion.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N16491
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
28-7325285
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1973
Model / ICAO
PA 28-140M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PETERSON DAVID J
Address
554 HAMMOND DR
Status
Deregistered
City
YARDLEY
State / Zip Code
PA 19067-3808
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing, the back wheels of the airplane touched the runway, he heard a pop, and he couldn't control the airplane. He reported that the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, the right wing and nose impacted a ditch, and subsequently sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mount. The pilot stated he assumes the right tire exploded during the landing.

A front view photograph of the airplane at the accident site (provided by the Federal Aviation Administration), showed the airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway, and that the right main landing gear tire was intact and inflated.

The pilot verified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA079