Piper PA-28-181 accident near Caldwell, New Jersey, May 31, 2009
On May 31, 2009 at about 9:38 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-181, registered N811SA, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Caldwell, New Jersey (Essex County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that he could operate the rudder pedals without interference.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2009 · about 9:38 pm local time
- Place
- Caldwell, New Jersey · Essex County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N811SA · no longer on the register · serial 2843619
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during landing the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway prior to touchdown. He attempted to correct with right rudder application but was unable because his shoe was lodged between an object and the rudder pedal. Slight aileron input was ineffective and additional aileron correction was not applied in order to prevent the right wing from contacting the runway. As the pilot applied full power for a go-around, the left flap contacted a runway edge light. The go-around was routine and the pilot returned and executed a normal landing. The left flap and left portion of the stabilator incurred damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities present with the airplane prior to the flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,032 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 400 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 505 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 15, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N66 Oneonta NY at 8:00 pm
- Destination: CDW Caldwell NY
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 22, 4,553 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from CDW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.