On March 27, 2003, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N8098Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Berlin, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which led to an unsecured cowling and loss of aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the unsecured cowling. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After performing engine maintenance, a pilot failed to secure the left cowling, which separated after takeoff. The pilot attempted to return but landed hard, causing gear collapse.
Accident Sequence
Prior to the accident flight, the pilot performed maintenance on the airplane's engine with the cowling open. After completing the maintenance, the pilot believed that the left side of the cowling was not properly secured. Following takeoff on runway 23, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the left-side cowling unlatched and repeatedly struck the windshield. The pilot then initiated a left turn back toward the airport with the intention of landing on runway 05. The airplane subsequently landed hard on a grass area between runway 5 and a taxiway. The force of the landing caused the landing gear to collapse, and the airplane slid to a stop.