# NTSB CHI04LA063: Piper PA 28-161, N38988, Lansing, IL, February 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 2004, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Lansing, IL - Coordinates: 41.534999, -87.529724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5350&lon=-87.5297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA063 ## Probable cause The improper flare by the pilot due to his diverted attention during landing. Factors were the pilot's failure to execute a go-around, the overload of the right main landing gear, and the snowbank. ## 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) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear - overload (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing. The pilot stated that during the landing approach, he noticed another airplane at the holding lines of the runway. He stated that on final approach the other airplane moved. He reported that subsequent to the other airplane's movement, he looked back at the threshold, flared, and "hit the runway hard." After the hard landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane struck a snowbank. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties, and stated that he should have executed a go-around when he saw the other airplane move. ## Factual narrative On February 8, 2004, about 1330 central standard time, a Piper PA 28-161, N38988, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage while landing at Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ), Lansing, IL. The local flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and 4 passengers sustained no injuries. The personal flight originated at 1320. The pilot stated he was landing on runway 18 (4,002 feet by 75 feet, ice covered asphalt) at IGQ when the right main landing gear broke through the wing. The pilot reported the final approach was looking good with no drifting. Cessna traffic was present at the airport doing full stop, taxi back landings when the accident occurred. The Cessna traffic was behind the hold short lines when the accident airplane was on short final. The pilot stated that he noticed the Cessna rolling past the hold short lines as he prepared to land. He reported glancing at his airspeed indicator which read "66 knots", after he saw the Cessna move past the lines. Shortly after he glanced at the indicator, he passed over the threshold and "hit the runway hard." The pilot realized there was a problem with the airplane and maintained directional control by using the rudder pedals until the airplane slowed. The airplane rolled into a snow bank following the right gear failure. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties. He also reported that he should have executed a go-around when he saw the Cessna airplane cross the holding lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38988](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38988), registered now, S/N 28-7716309, built 1977 (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: 28-7716309 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-01A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IGQ, Lansing, IL - Destination: IGQ, Lansing, IL - Airport: IGQ, Lansing Municipal Airport, runway 18, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; last flight review May 13, 2002; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: IGQ ## 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 20040208003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040208003509A), Feb 8, 2004: Piper PA28161, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff the pilot noticed the runway was very icy and had snow drifts. He attempted to land the aircraft at the runway threshold and roll out… 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.