# NTSB BFO89LA066: Piper PA-32-300, N4022R, Williamsburg, VA, July 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Williamsburg, VA
- Location: 37.2392° N, 76.7161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WALTRIP WILLIAMSBURG EXEC AIRPORT (JGG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2392&lon=-76.7161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY IMPROPERLY FLARING THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL AT AN AIRSPEED OF 80 MPH WITH FLAPS EXTENDED, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALT. THE ACFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND CONTACTED THE RWY FROM AN ALT OF APRX 10 FT AGL. THE LANDING WAS BEING MADE ON RWY 13 AND THE PLT REPORTED LOCAL WINDS FROM 180 DEGS AT 5 KTS GUSTING TO 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4022R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4022R), registered now, S/N 32-40299, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40299
- Airframe hours: 1901
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Delaware Aviation,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1989, 32 hours before
- Departed: SBY, SALISBURY, MD
- Airport: JGG, Williamsburg, runway 13, 3,215 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 677 total, 125 in this make and model, 533 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890730026759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890730026759A), Jul 30, 1989: Piper PA32300, Williamsburg, VA, Substantial damage. Stalled during leveloff and dropped 10 feet to the runway. Was able to taxi to ramp.

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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