# NTSB CHI94LA335: Piper PA-28-161, N523PU, W. Lafayette, IN, September 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1994, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: W. Lafayette, IN - Coordinates: 40.439411, -86.909614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4394&lon=-86.9096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9688/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA335 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LEVEL-OFF AND RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TRAINING FOR RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDINGS AND/OR ABORTED TAKEOFFS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate initial training (contributing factor) ## Analysis THIS WAS THE STUDENT'S FIRST SOLO. HE STATED THAT DURING HIS FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT THE AIRPLANE FLOATED AND...'HIT KIND OF HARD AND BOUNCE A LITTLE.' HE APPLIED FULL POWER FOR A GO-AROUND AND THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A SMALL HILL AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE AIRPLANE THEN SKIDDED SIDEWAYS THROUGH THE AIR, AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IT WAS REVEALED THAT SHE DID NOT INSTRUCT THE STUDENT IN RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDINGS OR ABORTED/REJECTED TAKEOFFS. A REVIEW OF THE STUDENT'S LOGBOOK, SCHOOL CURRICULUM, AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS REVEALED NO SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR INSTRUCTION IN RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDINGS AND/OR ABORTED TAKEOFFS. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1994, at 1100 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-28-161, N523PU, registered to Purdue University of West Lafayette, Indiana, and piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain following an aborted landing maneuver. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed from West Lafayette, Indiana, at 1055 est. According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he had made three landings with an instructor before being sent out on his first solo flight. On his first landing the pilot said he "...pulled up too soon which caused me to float awhile above the runway. This caused me to hit kind of hard and bounce a little." The pilot said he thought the airplane bounced higher than it did and he applied full power to "...do a go-around." He said the crosswind "...and left turning tendency caused [him] to run off the runway." The student pilot stated the landing was his first solo landing after 14 hours of dual instruction. The airplane crossed the area between runways, crossed a second runway, entered a clear area next to the second runway becoming airborne as it collided with a small hill. The airplane was observed skidding sideways through the air for a short time. Its right wing struck the ground followed by the right main landing gear. The right main landing gear separated from its mount. The nose gear collapsed aft and to the left of the airplane's fuselage centerline. A review of the student pilot's logbook showed he began his flight training on August 25, 1994. Each page of the logbook is divided into three areas: flight time blocks, maneuver blocks, and a remarks section. Review of the maneuver blocks revealed that there were no blocks for recovery from a bounced landing, and a rejected or aborted takeoff. A review of the remark's section revealed the following statements: "Be ready to go around on a bounce.", and "Two go-arounds." One logbook page listed thirteen "maneuvers" under a statement that said: "Prior to the student's first solo flight, the following maneuvers and instruction must be given and specifically logged." These maneuvers are also found in 14 CFR Part 61.87 (d)(e). None of the thirteen items described a recovery from a bounced landing and the rejected or aborted takeoff. A review of the flight school's training curriculum revealed seven lessons to be flown before solo. None of the lessons described training for recovery from a bounced landing and rejected or aborted takeoffs. Lesson seven did state: "The student must have 10 hours of dual including three hours of takeoffs and landings before first solo." During an interview with the flight instructor it was revealed she did not instruct the student in recovery from bounced landings or aborted/rejected takeoffs. She could not recall if she had discussed them with the student. The instructor said the student had trouble making a go-around decision on the previous flight but had performed correctly on the dual flight before his solo flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N523PU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N523PU), registered now, S/N 2841188, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2841188 - Airframe hours: 4079 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Purdue University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 31, 1994, 74 hours before - Airport: LAF, Purdue University, runway 23, 4,226 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAF, 1 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 19940917033869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940917033869A), Sep 17, 1994: Piper PA28161, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. First solo bounced landing. Lost control. Bounced off runway into air sideways and crashed. No balked landing dual. ## Other investigations on N523PU (2) 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 CHI08CA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA265), Aug 24, 2008: Piper PA-28-161 (N523PU), New Ulm, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of airport personnel to correct a hazardous condition on the airport. A factor was the uncovered manhole. - [NTSB CHI02LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA031), Nov 6, 2001: Piper PA-28-161 (N523PU), New Ulm, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student and flight instructor not using all of the available runway, the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor and the unsuccessful remedial action by the flight instructor. The student… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.