# NTSB CHI84LA171: Piper PA-32-260, N3874W, Marion, IN, April 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1984, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Marion, IN
- Coordinates: 40.599655, -85.630958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5997&lon=-85.6310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA171

## 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)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A LANDING, HE REDUCED THE POWER TOO SOON & FLARED THE ACFT TOO HIGH, THEN THE ACFT BOUNCED ABOUT 8 TO 10 FT IN THE AIR. THE HARD LANDING RESULTED IN SPAR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3874W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3874W), registered now, S/N 32-820, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-820
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald B Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1984
- Airport: MZZ, Marion Municipal, runway 22, 5,200 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 32 total, 27 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840425014979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840425014979A), Apr 25, 1984: Piper PA32260, Marion, IN, Substantial damage. Bounced aircraft 10 feet into the air on a hard landing. Damaged wing spars.

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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