Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions which resulted in a hard landing and loss of directional control.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, as he approached his destination airport, he requested airport advisories over the UNICOM frequency. He was advised that traffic was landing on runway 24, and the wind was reported at 310 degrees at 9 knots. During his first approach he believed he was too high and executed a go-around. He re-entered the pattern and as the airplane descended to the runway, it encountered windshear and stalled. The pilot made an attempt to go-around, but the airplane was too low and slow. He was unable to maintain the airplane's altitude, and it landed hard and veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck trees and the right wing was torn from the fuselage. The reported wind at the accident airport near the accident time was from 290 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA473 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 9, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Montauk, New York
- Nearest airport
- Montauk Airport (MTP)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-181
- N-number
- N2753M
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.