# NTSB ATL98LA089: Piper PA-28-161, N4331M, Homestead, FL, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1998, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.599575, -80.509284 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5996&lon=-80.5093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 4003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4003/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare that resulted in a hard landing and porpoise, and his improper recovery from the bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he entered a left downwind for runway 36. He touched down hard on the first landing, and the airplane bounced into the air. The pilot then pulled back on the controls, and the airplane sank, collided with the runway, and bounced a second time. The nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground on the second bounce. The airplane touched down for a third time and veered off the left side of the runway. According to the FAA, the airplane had wing damage and cracked engine mounts. The inspector stated the airplane made too steep of an approach which led him to begin bouncing down the runway. The pilot had 37 hours of total flying time. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1998, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N4331M, executed a hard landing at Homestead General Aviation Airport, Homestead, Florida. The solo, instructional flight was operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no flight plan filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Kendall-Tamiami Airport, Miami, Florida at 1115. According to the pilot, he entered a left downwind for runway 36. He touched down hard on the first landing, and the airplane bounced into the air. The pilot then pulled back on the controls, and the airplane sank, collided with the runway, and bounced a second time. The nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground on the second bounce. The airplane touched down for a third time and veered off the left side of the runway. According to the FAA, the airplane has wing damage and cracked engine mounts. The inspector stated the airplane made too steep of an approach which led him to begin bouncing down the runway. He also stated the pilot had only 37 hours of total time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4331M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4331M), registered now, S/N 28-8416028 (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: 28-8416028 - Airframe hours: 6637 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: International Flight Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1998 - Departed: TMB, TAMIAMI, FL - Destination: X51 - Airport: X51, Homestead General Av., runway 36, 4,909 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MIA, 20 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 19980701015499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980701015499A), Jul 1, 1998: Piper PA28161, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Bounced 3 times landing then veered off runway. Approach too steep. Inadequate training on stabilized approacheds. (-23) during approach to X-51, rwy 36, pilot… 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.