# NTSB CHI96LA155: Piper PA-28R-201, N9816C, Lafayette, IN, May 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1996, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Lafayette, IN - Coordinates: 40.419506, -86.770469 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4195&lon=-86.7705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10244/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA155 ## 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 checklist procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - gear extension - not performed, dual student (cause) - checklist - not used, dual student (contributing factor) - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that she was sitting in the left seat observing the student, who was also a commercial rated pilot, flying from the right seat. The instructor reported that the student put the flaps down to 10 degrees on downwind and she was 'surprised.' He then put the gear down. She asked him why he had lowered the flaps prior to the gear. He responded that he had been taught to wait until descent to lower the gear. Turning final, she checked the flap handle, checked the gear lights, and noticed that the red warning light was off. She reported that she heard the gear warning horn during the landing flare and the next thing she remembered was 'stopping and staring at the bent prop. The student reported that he had performed a 'mental GUMPS check' and was 'distracted.' Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 1996, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-201, N9816C, registered to Aretz Flying Service, Inc., was substantially damaged during a gear up landing in Lafayette, Indiana. The commercial rated flight instructor and the commercial rated pilot on board the airplane reported no injuries. The local, 14 CFR Part 91, instructional flight originated about one hour prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor reported that she was sitting in the left seat observing the student, who was also a commercial rated pilot, flying from the right seat. The instructor reported that the student put the flaps down to 10 degrees on downwind and she was "surprised." He then put the gear down. She asked him why he had lowered the flaps prior to the gear. He responded that he had been taught to wait until descent to lower the gear. Turning final, she checked the flap handle, checked the gear lights, and noticed that the red warning light was off. She reported that she heard the gear warning horn during the landing flare and the next thing she remembered was "stopping and staring at the bent prop." During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the student reported that he had performed a "mental GUMPS check" and was "distracted." Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. ## 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-7837222 - Airframe hours: 6765 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aretz Flying Service, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1996, 11 hours before - Departed: 3AR - Airport: 3AR, Aretz, runway 25, 2,812 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 1,273 total, 80 in this make and model, 1,190 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19960509046349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960509046349A), May 9, 1996: Piper PA28R201, Lafayette, IN, No damage. (-23) On may 9, 1996, at approximately 1230 EST, N9816C, piloted by commercial pilot steven j. johnson and accompanied by flight instructor jamelle n. poppe,… ## 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 CHI89LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA190), Sep 17, 1989: Piper PA-28R-201 (N9816C), Delphi, IN, substantial damage. 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… 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.