# NTSB CHI89LA060: Piper PA-34-200T, N3045M, West Chicago, IL, March 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1989, 17:29 local (23:29 UTC)
- Place: West Chicago, IL
- Location: 41.9071° N, 88.2480° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DUPAGE (DPA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9071&lon=-88.2480&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA060

## Probable cause

IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT.  THE CROSSWIND (QUARTERING HEADWIND) WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## 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)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3045M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3045M-2006-06-09), registration cancelled 2006-06-09, S/N 34-7870038, built 1977 (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: 34-7870038
- Airframe hours: 3734
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott, Johnny
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL
- Airport: DPA, Dupage, runway 10, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,047 total, 270 in this make and model, 804 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- 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 19890312007739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890312007739A), Mar 12, 1989: Piper PA34200T, West Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Failed to flare on landing, collapsed nose gear as it impacted the runway.

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.