Piper PA-28-181 N811SA

Summary

On 31 May 2009 at about 21:38 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N811SA, operated by Schultz Neal B, was involved in an accident near Caldwell, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2009 at 21:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Caldwell, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Essex County Airport (CDW)

Coordinates

40.8753, -74.2814

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N811SA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Schultz Neal B

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Oneonta → Caldwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09CA322

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that he could operate the rudder pedals without interference.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during landing the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway prior to touchdown. He attempted to correct with right rudder application but was unable because his shoe was lodged between an object and the rudder pedal. Slight aileron input was ineffective and additional aileron correction was not applied in order to prevent the right wing from contacting the runway. As the pilot applied full power for a go-around, the left flap contacted a runway edge light. The go-around was routine and the pilot returned and executed a normal landing. The left flap and left portion of the stabilator incurred damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities present with the airplane prior to the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.