Accident Overview
On August 5, 2017, about 2230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N56884, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain during an approach to Sky Manor Airport (N40) in Pittstown, New Jersey. The student pilot and one front-seat passenger were seriously injured, while a rear-seat passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Blairstown Airport (1N7) in Blairstown, New Jersey, about 2210.
Pilot and Passenger Accounts
Due to his injuries, the student pilot could not recall the accident sequence. He reported a total flight experience of 105 hours, including 5 hours at night. He had not flown in the 90 days before the accident. The front-seat passenger stated that he and the student pilot had discussed flying to N40 for avionics installation. He was also seriously injured and remembered only some of the sequence, including the student pilot saying, "we are losing altitude, this is not good."
The rear-seat passenger, who sustained minor injuries, recalled the student pilot mentioning they needed to complete a 360° turn before landing. The student pilot then adjusted the wing flaps, and the rear-seat passenger saw a red blinking light, powerlines, and trees. The student pilot stated they needed to climb but were not climbing, then remarked he thought he saw the problem and adjusted the flaps again. The rear-seat passenger did not recall the impact.
Radar and Air Traffic Control Data
Review of radar data and ATC communications from the FAA showed that at 2224, the airplane was at 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when the student pilot reported beginning a descent. The aircraft flew a track consistent with an approximate 3-mile left base leg to final for runway 7 at N40. On final approach, it descended from about 2,300 feet msl to 1,300 feet msl as it neared the runway threshold (elevation 548 feet msl). The airplane then executed a right 360° turn, and the last radar target was recorded over the airport at about 2230, indicating a groundspeed of 70 knots and an altitude of 1,000 feet msl.
Wreckage and Examination
The wreckage was located about 1/2-mile beyond the departure end of runway 7 and had been partially consumed by a postcrash fire. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage and found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The crankshaft could be rotated by hand, confirming continuity of the camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train to the rear accessory section. Thumb compression was attained on all four cylinders. The inspector noted that the passengers were not certificated pilots.
Pilot Background
The student pilot's flight instructor reported that the student attempted to schedule a lesson on August 4, 2017, to gain proficiency, but the instructor had a prior commitment. The student then scheduled a lesson for August 10, 2017. The instructor last provided ground instruction to the student on February 18, 2017, after which the student completed a solo cross-country flight uneventfully the same day.
Weather Conditions
The recorded weather at an airport about 12 miles east of the accident site at 2253 included calm wind, clear sky, and visibility 10 miles.