# NTSB CHI90LA062: Piper PA-28-140, N557PA, Steubenville, OH, January 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1990, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Steubenville, OH
- Coordinates: 40.359317, -80.639366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3593&lon=-80.6394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA062

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE.

## 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)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE NINETEEN-HOUR STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GOS WHEN THE AIRPLANE BALLOONED AND RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY NOSEDOWN. THE NOSEGEAR COLLAPSED AND THE PLANE SLID ALONG THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N557PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N557PA-1991-05-30), registration cancelled 1991-05-30, S/N 287225479 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287225479
- Airframe hours: 4039
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hunt, David D
- Registered owner: David O Hunt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1989, 50 hours before
- Airport: 2G2, Jefferson County, runway 31, 3,310 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIT, 24 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 19900105003559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900105003559A), Jan 5, 1990: Piper PA28140, Steubenville, OH, Substantial damage. Bounced thirty feet into air on landing. Pushed nose down. Failed to flare. Impact collapsed nose gear. Buckled skin.

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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