VINCENTOWN, NJ, USA
N9768C
Piper PA-32-300
The pilot reported that after touchdown on runway 5, he applied the brakes and the airplane swerved left. The airplane went of the left side of the runway and struck trees. FAA examination of the brake system did not reveal evidence of mechanical malfunction. The wind report for a nearby airport was 340 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 23 knots.
On April, 9, 1997, at 1505 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N9768C, was substantially damaged during a landing at The Red Lion Airport, Vincentown, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight which originated from The South Jersey Regional Airport, Mount Holly, New Jersey, about 1440. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...Approached airport, circled field, observed wind sock. Setup for approach to Rwy 5. Approach normal touched down, started rollout, applied brakes, aircraft pulled to left side of the runway, skidded on grass, stopped at the edge of trees." An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the left wing struck a tree, was bent rearward, and was partially separated from the airplane. The 1455 observation at McGuire AFB, which was 10 NM from Red Lion airport on a heading of 060 degrees, reported the winds were from 340 degrees at 19 knots, with gusts to 23 knots. An FAA inspector stated in the FAA Form 8020-16, "...INSPECTION [of the airplane] SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE...."
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an on ground loss of control. A contributing factor was a crosswind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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