# NTSB CHI90LA103: Piper PA-38, N2331C, Wausau, WI, March 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1990, 13:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Wausau, WI
- Coordinates: 44.959617, -89.639083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9596&lon=-89.6391&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): 14649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA103

## Probable cause

A HARD LANDING RESULTING FROM THE PILOT NOT TAKING TIMELY REMEDIAL WHEN A STALL WAS ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - sheared
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT ON CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM WINONA, MINNESOTA TO WAUSAU, WISCONSIN, MADE APPROACH FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 30 AT WAUSAU. STALL WARNING HORN CAME ON WHEN HE FLARED OVER THE RUNWAY NUMBERS FOR LANDING. PILOT CONTINUED TO HOLD BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROLS. AT APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND MADE HARD LANDING SHEARING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2331C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2331C-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 3879A0155 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79A0155
- Airframe hours: 2863
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Four Lakes Aeronautical Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1990, 17 hours before
- Departed: ONA, WINONA, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AUM, Wausau Muni, runway 30, 4,399 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW

## 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 19900324005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900324005229A), Mar 24, 1990: Piper PA38112, Wausau, WI, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high. Stalled, impacted runway and sheared right main gear.

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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