# NTSB CHI86LA184: Piper PA-28-181, N2185B, Traverse City, MI, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1986, 21:38 local (Jul 27, 1986, 01:38 UTC)
- Place: Traverse City, MI
- Coordinates: 44.759601, -85.699134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7596&lon=-85.6991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

WHILE FLARING TO LAND, THE AIRCRAFT HAD EXCESSIVE SPEED AND BALLOONED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT BOUNCED TWICE, THEN BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. DURING THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE GO-AROUND, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A RUNWAY EDGE IDENTIFIER LIGHT. THE LIGHT TORE A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE WING AND DAMAGED AT LEAST ONE WING RIB. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED FLYING AND THE PILOT MADE AN UNEVENTFUL EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2185B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2185B), registered now, S/N 28-7990126, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7990126
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: 85 Bravo, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: TVC, Cherry Capitol, runway 10, 6,500 × 150 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--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 105 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 1 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 19860726037539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860726037539A), Jul 26, 1986: Piper PA28181, Traverse City, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed hard, bounced and veered left. During go around, the wing struck a runway edge light damaging rib.

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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