# NTSB CHI96LA230: Piper PA-28-161, N8352H, Valparaiso, IN, July 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1996, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.469581, -87.049354 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4696&lon=-87.0494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10301 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10301/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA230 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that when she applied brakes to slow the airplane during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. The airplane continued off the runway until came to rest after contacting an embankment. Inspection of the accident site revealed the airplane exited the runway 1,500' from the approach end of the runway. It then traveled 430' prior to contacting the embankment were it came to rest. Inspection of the brake system failed to reveal any anomalies which would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1996, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8352H, registered to Donnallen Aviation, Inc., sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during a landing roll on runway 27 at the Porter County Municipal Airport, Valparaiso, Indiana. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from Valparaiso, Indiana. The pilot reported that she took off with the intention of flying the traffic pattern and returning for a landing. She reported that after touching down on runway 27 (6,000' x 150') she applied the brakes to slow the airplane in order to turn off the runway. She stated that when she applied the brakes the airplane veered to the right and she "could not get the left brake to compensate." The airplane veered off the right side of the runway where it came to rest after contacting an embankment. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration, South Bend, Indiana, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the accident site and the airplane. They reported that the airplane departed the runway 1,500' from the approach end of the runway. The airplane then traveled 430' off the right side of the runway prior to contacting the embankment. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 075 degrees. An inspection of the airplane brakes failed to reveal any anomalies which would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8352H (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8116180 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donnallen Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VPZ - Destination: VPZ - Airport: VPZ, Porter County Municipal, runway 27, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 61 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °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 19960705022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960705022779A), Jul 5, 1996: Piper PA28161, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing ground looped off runway. Down thru gulley and up embankment before stopping. (-23) during the landing phase, the pilot… 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.