# NTSB BFO93LA040: Piper PA-28-161, N5220W, Napoleon, OH, February 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1993, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Napoleon, OH
- Coordinates: 41.389434, -84.120788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3894&lon=-84.1208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA040

## Probable cause

THE INTENTIONAL STALL RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PREMATURE FLARE WHICH LED TO AN EXCEEDED PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF OVERALL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,wheel - separation

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO FLOAT DOWN THE RUNWAY AND DRIFT TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTERLINE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS RUNNING OUT OF RUNWAY SO HE PURPOSELY STALLED THE AIRPLANE TO GET IT TO THE GROUND.  HE SAID THE AIRPLANE DROPPED TO THE RUNWAY ABOUT 6 FEET, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.  HE STATED THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY RIGHT OF THE CENTERLINE.  THE FIREWALL SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5220W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5220W), registered now, S/N 28-257, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA28-161
- Airframe hours: 2218
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: S & P Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Julie A. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1992, 90 hours before
- Airport: OH17, Henry County, runway 28, 4,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 100 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 19930228012489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930228012489A), Feb 28, 1993: Piper PA28161, Napoleon, OH, Substantial damage. Nearing end of runway landing. Intentionally stalled to prevent overrun. Impact broke a wheel. Bent firewall.

## Other investigations on N5220W (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN73FTE65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FTE65), Mar 19, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N5220W), Limon, CO, substantial damage

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.