# NTSB ATL89LA105: Piper PA-28-161, N2122J, Tiffin, OH, March 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1989, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Tiffin, OH
- Coordinates: 41.110725, -83.170089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1107&lon=-83.1701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING WHICH LED TO INADVERTENT PORPOISING AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING ROLL OUT, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH A DITCH. THE PILOT INITIALLY REPORTED EXPERIENCING A LEFT BRAKE PROBLEM BUT THE GEAR EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF THE AIRPLANE PORPOISING ON THE RUNWAY SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2122J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2122J), registered now, S/N 28-7916199, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916199
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tiffin Aire Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: KELLEY ISLAND, OH
- Airport: 106, Seneca County, runway 6, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 6 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890313004909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890313004909A), Mar 13, 1989: Piper PA28161, Tiffin, OH, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on runway after landing and veered off runway. Blamed a locked brake. No defects found.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.