# NTSB ATL96LA061: Piper PA-28-151, N32421, Columbia, TN, March 10, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1996, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, TN
- Coordinates: 35.619033, -87.040901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6190&lon=-87.0409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA061

## Probable cause

the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the improper level-off.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - taxiway light

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that during landing the aircraft bounced three times and went off the side of the runway due to his overcompensation for drift. The aircraft then struck taxi lights, runway lights, and a taxiway sign before coming to rest on the grass on the left side of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On March 10, 1996, about 1045 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N32421 ran off the side of runway 5, and collided with runway lights, taxi lights, and a taxi sign at Maury County Airport, Columbia, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A visual flight plan was filed for the solo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The student pilot was not injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight had originated at Dyersburg, Tennessee, at approximately 0940.

The pilot stated that during landing, he had lost control of the aircraft and the airplane bounced three times. The pilot over corrected to the left for drift, and the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway. The aircraft struck taxi lights, runway lights, and a taxiway sign before coming to rest on the grass. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulty with the airplane during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32421](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32421), registered now, S/N 28-7515152 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287515152
- Airframe hours: 3685
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raider Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 1995, 62 hours before
- Departed: DYR, DYERSBURG, TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRC, Maury County, runway 5, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 8 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 30 nm away

## 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 19960310003739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960310003739A), Mar 10, 1996: Piper PA28151, Columbia/Mt Ple, TN, Substantial damage. Overcorrected a swerve on landing. Veered off runway. Struck light and signs prior stopping.

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.

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