# NTSB CEN09CA208: Piper PA-28-180, N3331R, Valparaiso, IN, December 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 29, 2008, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.453887, -87.006942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4539&lon=-87.0069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73486/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73486 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA208 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare during landing, resulting in a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning from a local flight and he reported that during the landing on runway 27, the airplane touched down, ballooned, and became airborne again. He stated that the airplane then came down hard on the main landing gear first, followed by the nose landing gear. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop. Subsequent examination of the airplane confirmed damage to the wing main spar. ## Factual narrative The pilot was returning from a local flight and he reported that during the landing on runway 27, the airplane touched down and then ballooned and became airborne again. He stated that the airplane then came down hard on the main landing gear first followed by the nose landing gear. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop. Subsequent examination of the airplane confirmed damage to the wing main spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3331R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3331R), registered now, S/N 28-5661, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-5661 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John L. Deaner - Registered owner: Single Wingers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN - Destination: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN - Airport: VPZ, Porter County Municipal Airpor, runway 27, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 255 total, 62 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 17 knots, gusting 23 ## 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 20081229856129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081229856129A), Dec 29, 2008: Piper PA28180, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Propeller strike - severe, engine mount bent, nose strut piston sheared off. Right main landing gear and right wing shows signs of hard impact. Wing skin… ## Other investigations on N3331R (4) 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 CEN22LA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA399), Aug 18, 2022: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Sullivan, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. - [NTSB GAA16CA491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA491), Sep 15, 2016: Piper PA 28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. - [NTSB CHI98LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA329), Aug 22, 1998: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Lapaz, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in landing on unsuitable terrain (wet, grass). Factors associated with the accident were the wet grass and the fence. - [NTSB CHI89LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA045), Jan 14, 1989: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS AND RAPID ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73486. 44 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.