# NTSB CHI87LA136: Piper PA-34-200T, N8231D, Plymouth, IN, May 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1987, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, IN
- Coordinates: 41.339183, -86.310882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3392&lon=-86.3109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA136

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH ABOUT 200 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER TOLD THE PILOT SHE THOUGHT SHE SAW A DEER. THE PILOT ADDED POWER FOR A POSSIBLE GO-AROUND. SINCE HE DID NOT SEE ANY DEER, THE PILOT CONTINUED HIS LANDING. HE RETARDED POWER AND FLARED THE AIRCRAFT 'SOMEWHAT HIGH.' THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND PORPOISED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8231D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8231D-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 34-8070260, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8070260
- Airframe hours: 1190
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Meditran
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Airport: C65, Plymouth Muni, runway 28, 3,570 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,325 total, 460 in this make and model, 2,160 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19870530017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530017699A), May 30, 1987: Piper PA34200T, Plymouth, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft was damaged on a porpoised landing. Pilot was distracted by a report of a deer on the runway.

## Other investigations on N8231D (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN07FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA045), Jan 5, 2007: Piper PA-34-200T (N8231D), Manzanola, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in the subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors…

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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