# NTSB CHI89LA190: Piper PA-28R-201, N9816C, Delphi, IN, September 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1989, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Delphi, IN
- Coordinates: 40.579597, -86.670013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5796&lon=-86.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA190

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE HIGH SINK RATE THAT DEVELOPED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL STUDENT PILOT AND HIS INSTRUCTOR WERE ON FINAL APPROACH, WHEN THE AIRPLANE GOT INTO A HIGH SINK RATE AND ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT A HARD LANDING OCCURRED JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9816C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9816C-2022-11-22), registration cancelled 2022-11-22, S/N 28R-7837222, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-783222
- Airframe hours: 4104
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aretz Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1989, 396 hours before
- Departed: 3AR, LAFAYETTE, IN
- Destination: 1I9, DELPHI, IN
- Airport: 1I9, Delphi Municipal, runway 36, 2,891 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 852 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890917035589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890917035589A), Sep 17, 1989: Piper PA28R201, Delphi, IN, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final,CFI took over too late landed short. Hit tip of runway. Impact buckled right wing.

## Other investigations on N9816C (1)

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 CHI96LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA155), May 9, 1996: Piper PA-28R-201 (N9816C), Lafayette, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the dual student's failure to extend the landing gear. Factors were the distraction of the flight instructor and the student's failure to use…

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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