# Accident 20160915018329A: Piper PA-28-180, Valparaiso, IN, September 15, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 15, 2016, 15:30 local time
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.4522° N, 87.0083° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4522&lon=-87.0083&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3331R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3331R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-180 (registry code 7102808, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 108 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA491) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160915018329A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, THE PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) OF N3331R, A PIPER CHEROKEE, WAS INVOLVED IN AN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT AT THE PORTER COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT IN VALPARAISO, INDIANA.

THE PIC WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT WHEN THE PIC STRUCK THE NOSE WHEEL FIRST DURING A HARD LANDING. N3331R SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THE PROPELLER, ENGINE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND NOSE LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED FROM THE IMPACT. NEITHER THE PILOT NOR THE PASSENGER WERE INJURED.

THE PIC WAS OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT A VALID MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THE PIC?S MEDICAL WAS DENIED IN 2014. THE PIC WAS ALSO OPERATING WITH A PASSENGER WITHOUT CURRENT FLIGHT REVIEW AND WITHOUT HAVING LOGGED 3 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN THE PRECEDING 90 DAYS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA16CA491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA491), Sep 15, 2016: Piper PA 28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.

## Other reports on N3331R (5)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20220818014729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220818014729A), Aug 18, 2022: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Sullivan, IN, Substantial damage. On August 18th, 2022, at 2300Z, aircraft [privacy data omitted] experienced a hard landing on runway 36 at the Sullivan County, Indiana airport (siv) resulting…
- [Accident 20081229856129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081229856129A), Dec 29, 2008: Piper PA28180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Propeller strike - severe, engine mount bent, nose strut piston sheared off. Right main landing gear and right wing shows signs of hard impact. Wing skin…
- [Accident 19990822021729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990822021729A), Aug 22, 1999: Piper PA28180 (N3331R), Lapaz, IN, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot reported the airplane would not slow down during the landing roll with the use of brakes. He reported that he did no retract the flaps and the…
- [Accident 19890114000739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890114000739A), Jan 14, 1989: Piper PA28180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Took off into freezing rain with no weather brief. Became concerned returned. High sink rate, stalled, folded gear.
- [Incident 19781028027549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781028027549I), Oct 28, 1978: Piper PA28/ (N3331R), Griffith, IN, Minor damage. Pilot made a hard landing in a moderate cross wind.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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