# NTSB CHI89LA139: Piper PA-32-301, N8301F, Grayslake, IL, July 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1989, 12:01 local (17:01 UTC)
- Place: Grayslake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.340187, -88.030349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3402&lon=-88.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA139

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, AND HIS FAILURE TO GO AROUND (WHEN THERE WAS SUFFICIENT SPEED AND RUNWAY REMAINING).  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## 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)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A FLT TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACFT RE-FAMILIARIZATION BEFORE A PLANNED X-COUNTRY FLT. AS HE WAS LANDING, THE ACFT BOUNCED 3 TIMES. HE RPRTD THAT ON THE 3RD TOUCHDOWN, HE WAS 'NOT ABLE TO ACHIEVE SUFFICIENT FLARE TO AVOID TOUCHING DOWN NOSE WHEEL FIRST.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST, NOSE DOWN, ON THE RWY. DRG THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS, THE PLT HAD ACCRUED 3.5 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT; HOWEVER, SINCE 5/20/89, ALL OF HIS FLT TIME HAD BEEN IN ANOTHER TYPE OF ACFT WHICH HAD DIFFERENT LANDING CHARACTERISTICS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8301F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8301F), registered now, S/N 32-8306004, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8306004
- Airframe hours: 1485
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C.W.M., Inc., Of Grayslake
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 31, 1989, 75 hours before
- Departed: C81
- Destination: C81
- Airport: C81, Campbell-Grayslake, runway 27, 3,250 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 412 total, 74 in this make and model, 378 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19890715022629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890715022629A), Jul 15, 1989: Piper PA32301, Grays Lake, IL, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Collapsed nose gear. Failed to recover from bounces or to go around.

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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