# NTSB BFO92LA116: Piper PA-28R-200, N4389X, Spencerport, NY, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Spencerport, NY
- Coordinates: 43.180126, -77.800689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1801&lon=-77.8007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA116

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.

## 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)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Main gear collapsed, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 10 WHEN ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE APPROACH SEEMED NORMAL; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE SANK SO RAPIDLY THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REACT IN TIME.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE MAIN GEAR AND SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4389X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4389X), registered now, S/N 28R-7635034, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7635034
- Airframe hours: 3173
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Artisan Flying Club
- Registered owner: Artisan Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1992, 24 hours before
- Departed: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Airport: D91, Spencerport Airpark, runway 1, 2,450 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 290 total, 36 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROC, 1 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 19920726027479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726027479A), Jul 26, 1992: Piper PA28R200, Spenceport, NY, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final caused hard landing. Collapsed main landing gear.

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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