PITTSTOWN, NJ, USA
N19565
Taylorcraft J-2
DURING APPROACH TO A GRASS STRIP, THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS AIRPLANE'S CLEARANCE FROM TREES AND THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING IMPACTED A TREE. THE AIRPLANE SPUN AROUND THE TREE AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 100 FEET SHORT OF THE GRASS STRIP'S THRESHOLD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND THIS AFFECTED HIS PERIPHERAL VISION.
On Monday, November 22, 1993, at about 1600 eastern standard time, a Taylor Cub J-2, N19565, owned, operated, and piloted by Everett L. True of Far Hills, New Jersey, collided with a tree about 100 feet short of the threshold of a grass strip which runs parallel to runway 25 at the Sky Manor Airport located in Pittstown, New Jersey. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated on his accident report form, "...I turned final the sun was coming through the [propeller] limiting my vision to the sides. I noted the altitude, airspeed, and turn and ball indicator and everything was right on target. Then, there was a sudden sink rate increase, so I applied full power." The pilot stated that after he applied full throttle, he had to increase the pitch of the airplane to avoid a 50 foot tree. He stated the airplane cleared the tree "...but was near a stall due to the high angle of attack. I dropped the nose to avoid a stall. I looked out the left side to check my altitude and it looked liked [the airplane was] 15 to 20 feet [above the ground]. At that moment the right wing struck a bush tree which I never saw." The pilot stated that the airplane spun 180 degrees around the tree and fell to the ground. During the turn, the airplane's left wing hit a tree, damaging the wings rear spar. The pilot stated that there were no airframe or engine anomalies prior to impacting the tree. A Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspector stated that there were obstructions (trees) on either side of the grass strip's approach area. The Safety Inspector stated that gliders and airplanes with a tailwheel frequently use the grass strip instead of the runway.
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PRESENCE OF SUNGLARE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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