# NTSB CHI84LA178: Piper PA-28-180, N7575W, La Porte, IN, May 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1984, 22:00 local (May 6, 1984, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: La Porte, IN
- Coordinates: 41.599617, -86.710777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5996&lon=-86.7108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE INITIATED THE LANDING FLARE 'TOO LATE,' AND THE ACFT LANDED HARD. THERE WAS SUBST DAMAGE TO THETO THE LANDING GEAR AND LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7575W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7575W), registered now, S/N 28-1522, built 1964 (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: 28-1522
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce F. Siefken
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1983
- Airport: 3LP, La Porte Muni, runway 20, 2,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 127 in this make and model, 122 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 21 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 19840505017079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840505017079A), May 5, 1984: Piper PA28180, La Porte, IN, Substantial damage. Flared too late on a night landing. Struck runway nosewheel first. Impact damaged nose gear wings and fuselage.

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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