Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance during final approach.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot planned to perform three landings to runway 27, a 2156 foot long, 40 foot wide runway with obstructions at both ends, for his recent currency experience. During the third landing while on final approach, the pilot stated that the airplane sunk and struck the ground. The airplane came to rest approximately 20 feet from the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that the weather was perfect, and he did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Additionally, postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 31, 1996, about 1335 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9101P, was substantially damaged when it landed short of runway 27, at the Malboro Airport, Matawan, New Jersey. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct three landings to obtain his recent currency experience. The pilot was conducting the landings to runway 27, which was a 2156 foot long, 40 foot wide runway, with obstructions at both ends. During the third landing, while on final approach, the airplane sank and impacted the ground. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and stated that the weather was perfect. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest approximately 20 feet from the approach end of the runway. Additionally, there were no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. -