# NTSB CHI89LA181: Piper PA-22-150, N3633P, South Haven, MI, September 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1989, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: South Haven, MI
- Coordinates: 42.399803, -86.269172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3998&lon=-86.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA181

## Probable cause

IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.

## 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 - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PILOT MADE A FULL FLAP APPROACH INTO GRASS STRIP WHICH RESULTED IN HARD LANDING. NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED ON LANDING ROLL, AND AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3633P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3633P-1993-02-19), registration cancelled 1993-02-19, S/N 223367 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3367
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Demler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: NONE, SOUTH HAVEN, MI
- Destination: NONE, SOUTH HAVEN, MI
- Airport: NONE, Demler, runway 8, 1,500 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,085 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 35 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 19890910034389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890910034389A), Sep 10, 1989: Piper PA22150, South Haven, MI, Substantial damage. Made hard landing on short strip. Impacted severed nose wheel. Fork dug in flipping aircraft over.

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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