# NTSB CHI89LA045: Piper PA-28-180, N3331R, Valparaiso, IN, January 14, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 14, 1989, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.469459, -87.049774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4695&lon=-87.0498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 14323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA045 ## Probable cause INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS AND RAPID ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO FLARE DURING THE LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION WITH ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - wing - ice (cause) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - not attained, pilot in command ## Analysis NO PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED BEFORE THE FLT. DURING CLIMB-OUT, THE PLT HEARD ABOUT ICING CONDITIONS AT A NEARBY AIRPORT & ELECTED TO RETURN & LAND. BEFORE LANDING, HE ENCOUNTERED FREEZING RAIN & A RAPID ACCUMULATION OF ICE ON THE ACFT. ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD RESTRICTED THE PLT'S FORWARD VISIBILITY, REQUIRING HIM TO USE THE SIDE WINDOWS. DURING THE FLARE TO LAND, HE RAISED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT TO ARREST A SINK RATE, BUT THE ACFT LANDED HARD, COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3331R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3331R), registered now, S/N 28-5661, built 1969 (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: 28-5661 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Single Wings, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 7 hours before - Departed: VPZ - Airport: VP2, Porter County, runway 9, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 21 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °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 19890114000739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890114000739A), Jan 14, 1989: Piper PA28180, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Took off into freezing rain with no weather brief. Became concerned returned. High sink rate, stalled, folded gear. ## Other investigations on N3331R (4) 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 CEN22LA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA399), Aug 18, 2022: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Sullivan, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. - [NTSB GAA16CA491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA491), Sep 15, 2016: Piper PA 28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. - [NTSB CEN09CA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA208), Dec 29, 2008: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare during landing, resulting in a bounced landing. - [NTSB CHI98LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA329), Aug 22, 1998: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Lapaz, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in landing on unsuitable terrain (wet, grass). Factors associated with the accident were the wet grass and the fence. 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.