# NTSB CHI87LA056: Piper PA-38-112, N4325E, Madison, WI, December 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1986, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Madison, WI
- Coordinates: 43.139381, -89.349502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1394&lon=-89.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA056

## 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 (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS, THE STUDENT PLT REPORTS, THE ACFT 'SUDDENLY DROPPED' RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE ACFT THEN PORPOISED SEPARATING THE NOSE GEAR AND SKIDDING TO A STOP OFF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4325E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4325E-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 3878A0551 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0551
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Four Lakes Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: MSN, Dane Co. Reg-Traux Field, runway 31, 5,846 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN

## 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 19861226070889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861226070889A), Dec 26, 1986: Piper PA38112, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. The aircraft was damaged during a porpoise on landing. Student was practicing touch and go's.

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.
