# NTSB CHI89LA130: Piper PA-38-112, N2545A, Indianapolis, IN, July 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 20:00 local (Jul 10, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.670509, -86.130653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6705&lon=-86.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA130

## Probable cause

IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT. THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT ON A SOLO FLT WAS ATTEMPTING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, FLARED HIGH AND BOUNCED. HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING WITH A POWER ADDITION AND REDUCTION. WHEN HE SAW HE WAS GOING TO BOUNCE AGAIN, HE MADE TWO ADDITIONAL POWER APPLICATIONS AND REDUCTIONS. HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL TO THE LEFT WHEN THE LEFT WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY WITH FULL POWER ON THE AIRCRAFT. HE LANDED OFF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A FENCE POST WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE STUDENT HAD 6 HOURS SOLO TIME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2545A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2545A-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 38-78A0746, 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: 38-7A0746
- Airframe hours: 2530
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Greenwood Flight Center, doing business as Greenwood Flight Center
- Registered owner: Greenwood Flite Center Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 1989, 89 hours before
- Airport: SI1, Greenwood Muni., runway 18, 3,475 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 24 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 11 nm away

## 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 19890709021889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709021889A), Jul 9, 1989: Piper PA38112, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Student bounced aircraft on landing, bounced more times trying to decide to abort or takeoff, then ran off 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.

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