NTSB Factual Report

On April 2, 2002, about 1630 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N44636, was substantially damaged while landing at the Allaire Airport (BLM), Belmar/Farmingdale, New Jersey. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight that departed Martin State Airport (MTN), Baltimore, Maryland, destined for Belmar. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he departed Allaire around 0915, and flew to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he did one landing. He then flew to Ocean City Municipal Airport (OXB), Ocean City, Maryland, and conducted another landing. After that, he did a landing at Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey. The pilot then flew to Martin State where he conducted a couple of landings before parking the airplane for a few hours. After the break, the pilot returned to the airplane, and departed for the Quakertown Airport (UKT), Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Near Quakertown, the pilot decided not to land because of winds, so he continued on to Allaire.

Approaching Allaire, the pilot entered a left downwind for runway 14 via a 45-degree entry. He announced the entry and being established on the downwind at 1,000 feet msl. When he was abeam the approach end of the runway, he reduced engine power to 1,500 rpm, and when the airspeed entered the "white arc," he selected one notch of flaps, and announced turning base leg. On base, the pilot selected another notch of flaps, and then turned final. While on final, the pilot did not like his ground track. He also felt that the airplane behind him was too close, so he executed a go-around. The engine responded and the pilot retracted the flaps.

The pilot turned crosswind about 700 feet msl, and then downwind at 1,000 feet msl. He announced both the crosswind and downwind turns. Once again, he was abeam the approach end of the runway. He reduced engine rpm to 1,500, and when the airspeed entered the "white arc," he selected one notch of flaps. The pilot turned base, announced his intentions, selected another notch of flaps, and slowed the airplane to 75 knots. The pilot turned final, announcing the turn, and selected full flaps for landing.

While on final, the pilot maintained 65 knots of airspeed, and crabbed the airplane into the wind to maintain a proper ground track to the runway. On short final, the pilot applied left rudder to align the airplane with the runway. He flared the airplane, causing it to float for a moment before touching down on the centerline, about 500 feet from the approach end. Shortly afterwards, the airplane drifted off the centerline to the left, and exited the runway. The left main landing gear was sheared off, and the airplane came to a stop. The pilot secured the engine and exited the airplane to move some debris away from the runway.

Winds recorded at Allaire about 5 minutes after the accident were from 180 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during landing. A factor in the accident was the winds.