Piper PA-32R-301 accident near Newburyport, Massachusetts, July 25, 2003
On July 25, 2003 at about 5:55 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301, registered N8146Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newburyport, Massachusetts (Plum Island Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and his inadequate flare.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2003 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Newburyport, Massachusetts · Plum Island Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301s on the register
- Registration
- N8146Y · registry record · serial 32R-8213036
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While landing, the pilot observed a fence extending across the runway just prior to the numbers. The airplane then encountered a gust of wind, which caused the airplane to bank to the left, and the pilot recovered to a wings level attitude. As the airplane flew over the fence, the left wing dropped "uncomfortably" and the pilot corrected. The airplane then touched down hard, and the left tire blew. The airplane skidded to the left, off the side of the runway, and came to rest in a grass area adjacent to the runway. The winds reported at an airport located 12 miles to the south, at 1353, were from 240 degrees at 9 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private, recreational
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 630 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 1 in the last 30 days; 510 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FRG Farmingdale NY at 4:30 pm
- Destination: 2B2 Newburyport MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,105 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from BVY, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.