Ridgely Airpark Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Ridgely, Maryland 21108
Monday, April 4, 2011 18:00 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The certified flight instructor and two commercial pilots departed on a training flight to practice maneuvers in preparation for the commercial pilots' flight instructor practical tests. One of the commercial pilots (pilot receiving instruction) was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident. The pilot receiving instruction entered the airport traffic pattern and configured the airplane to perform a power-off approach and landing. While on final approach, the airplane's airspeed deteriorated and the airplane began to sink. The pilot receiving instruction applied full engine power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane continued to sink and impacted the ground short of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. The nearest weather facility reported about a 70-degree left crosswind at 22 knots, gusting to 27 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot receiving instruction's inadequate compensation for the wind during landing and delay in executing a go-around, which resulted in a loss of airspeed, low final approach, and subsequent collision with the ground short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate surveillance and remedial action.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 4/4/2011
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 1800
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Ridgely
Event State MARYLAND
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 21108
Event Date Year 2011
Event Date Month 4
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 385813N
Event Location Longitude 0755159W
Event Location Airport Ridgely Airpark
Event Location Nearest Airport ID RJD
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 64
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1755 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 310
Weather Observation Facility ID DOV
Elevation of weather observation facility 28
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 21
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling --
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 26
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 8
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 180
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 22
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 27
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.49
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 3
Injury Total All 3
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 29477
NTSB Notification Source FAA Eastern ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 27 2011 4:02PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N7619J
NTSB Number ERA11LA229
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name PIPER
Aircraft Model PA-28R-180
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 28R-31013
Certified Max Gross Weight 2500
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection Jan 21 2011 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 6108
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name GALDIERI AVIATION INC
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City GRASONVILLE
Aircraft Owner State MD
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 21638-1279
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name GALDIERI AVIATION INC
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City GRASONVILLE
Operator State MD
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 21638-1279
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Instructional
Second Pilot on Board Yes
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code W29
Departure City Stevensville
Departure State MD
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1720
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code W29
Destination City Stevensville
Destination State MD
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 27 2011 4:02PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location 12
Runway Length 3214
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --