# NTSB CHI87LA223: Piper PA-38-112, N6320A, Joliet, IL, September 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1987, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Joliet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.55083, -88.130073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5508&lon=-88.1301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON WHAT THE PILOT THOUGHT WAS A RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT ON SHORT FINAL THE AIRCRAFT FLOATED BEFORE TOUCHING DOWN AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE BRAKED HARD AND THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED LEFT AND WENT OVER ON ITS BACK AS THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THERE IS NO RUNWAY 33, WHICH IS THE RUNWAY IDENTIFIED AS HAVING LANDED ON BY THE PLT, AT JOLIET PARK DISTRICT AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6320A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6320A-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 38-78A0384, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3878A0384
- Airframe hours: 1944
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Richardson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1987
- Departed: IC5, PLAINFIELD, IL
- Airport: JOT, Joliet Park District

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DPA

## 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 19870927056569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870927056569A), Sep 27, 1987: Piper PA38112, Joliet, IL, Substantial damage. Waited too long to go around. Had to hit brakes hard to prevent an overshoot. Aircraft flipped over on its back.

## Other investigations on N6320A (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 SEA80FYP36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYP36), Aug 28, 1980: Piper PA-38 (N6320A), Stratford, WA, substantial damage

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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