NTSB Factual Report

On August 8, 2004, at 1240 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N4171D, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an aborted landing at the Sky Manor Airport (N40), Pittstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Old Bridge Airport (3N6), Old Bridge, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he was on short final approach for runway 25, a 2,439 foot-long and 50 foot-wide runway, when a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway. He initiated a go-around, retracted the landing gear, and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. When the pilot felt the airplane was not climbing adequately, he reduced the throttle and lowered the nose, to execute a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

A witness observed the airplane "low and slow" on short final for runway 25. As it passed the approach end of the runway, which sloped upward, the airplane pitched up and increased power. The airplane descended to the runway, the main landing gear contacted the ground, the airplane again increased power, and climbed steeply to about 20-40 feet AGL. When the airplane was about three-quarters down the runway, it remained at a high angle-of-attack, and was "quite low." The witness lost sight of the airplane behind trees, but heard an impact several seconds later.

The winds reported at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, 22 miles to the west, at 1251, were from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The density altitude was 1,324 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to obtain a proper climb rate during a go-around, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree.