NTSB Factual Report

On December 17, 2001, about 0800 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28, N7658F, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross Keys, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Allaire Airport (BLM), Belmar, New Jersey. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he made a left downwind departure from Belmar, and climbed to 2,500 feet msl while proceeding to the Coyle VOR (CYN). After passing CYN, the pilot proceeded direct to Cross Keys, where he made a right downwind entry for runway 9. Once the airplane was "abeam the numbers," the pilot selected the flaps to 10 degrees, and retarded the throttle to idle. On base leg, he selected 25 degrees of flaps, and noticed the airplane was a "little high" and a "little fast." He then realized the runway had a displaced threshold, which made him feel like he had more time to slow the airplane down and establish a proper glide angle.

The airplane turned final "high" and approximately 1/2 mile from the displaced threshold. On final, the pilot selected 40 degrees of flaps. The airplane crossed the displaced threshold approximately 100 feet agl, with 90 to 95 knots of indicated airspeed. The pilot added that when the airplane crossed the displaced threshold, the airspeed should have been approximately 75 knots. The airplane touched-down about halfway down the 3,500-foot long runway. The pilot held the nosewheel off the ground while he applied the brakes. When the pilot allowed the nosewheel to touchdown, he realized he would not be able to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the runway.

With approximately 500 feet of runway remaining, the pilot decided to abort the landing. He applied full power, and selected 25 degrees of flaps. When the airplane reached approximately 65 knots of airspeed, the pilot applied back pressure to the yoke, and the airplane lifted off. The right main landing gear then struck a wooden fence that ran perpendicular to the runway, which caused the nose of the airplane to pitch down. The right main landing gear then struck an automobile traveling on a road that was also perpendicular to the runway. The airplane spun approximately 180 degrees to the right, and started traveling backwards through the air. The airplane touched down "smoothly" while still traveling backwards. The nosewheel collapsed, and the propeller impacted the ground. The airplane came to a stop; the pilot secured all the systems, and then egressed. The pilot report that he did not experience any preimpact failures with either the engine or the airframe.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing.