On March 30, 2005, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N9235J) was involved in an aviation accident near Sussex, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to insure adequate obstacle clearance while conducting a practice forced landing approach, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a practice forced landing, the right main landing gear struck a wire 30 feet high, 200 feet short of the runway. The pilot applied corrective controls but the airplane impacted the runway. The pilot saw warning balls but missed a higher wire.
Event Overview
The pilot/owner, accompanied by a flight instructor in the right seat, was executing a practice forced landing to a runway. During the landing, the right main landing gear contacted the top wire of a set of wires. The wires were approximately 30 feet high and located about 200 feet short of the approach end of the runway.
Sequence of Events
Following contact, the right wing dropped. The pilot applied full left rudder and added power. The engine responded, but the airplane impacted the runway. The pilot had the warning balls on the wires in sight during the approach but did not realize there was an additional wire 4 to 6 feet higher than the one struck.
What happened in the 30 Mar 2005 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Sussex, NJ?
During a practice forced landing, the right main landing gear struck a wire 30 feet high, 200 feet short of the runway. The pilot applied corrective controls but the airplane impacted the runway. The pilot saw warning balls but missed a higher wire.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 Mar 2005 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N9235J, at Sussex, NJ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to insure adequate obstacle clearance while conducting a practice forced landing approach, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires.
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