# NTSB CHI98LA284: Piper PA-28R-201, N177ND, Salina, KS, July 24, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1998, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Salina, KS
- Coordinates: 38.810562, -97.610946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8106&lon=-97.6109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA284

## Probable cause

the pilot failed to flare the airplane properly and the airplane landed hard.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was 10 feet above the runway when he started the flare.  He reported that when the main landing gear contacted the runway he let the yoke go forward.  He reported, 'All of a sudden the nose of the plane was on the runway and I [went] skidding to the right.  I had skidded all the way across the runway and onto the grass.' The inspection of the airplane revealed that the right main gear forward trunion bearing broke downward while the aft trunion broke upward causing damage to the top side of the wing.  The same action caused damage to the top side of the left wing.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1998, at 1530 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201, N177ND, operated by Midwest Aviation, was substantially damaged during landing.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Marshall Municipal Airport, Marshall, Minnesota, and was landing at the destination airport, Salina Municipal Airport, Salina, Kansas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he was 10 feet above the runway when he started the flare.  He reported that when the main landing gear contacted the runway he let the yoke go forward.  He reported, "All of a sudden the nose of the plane was on the runway and I [went] skidding to the right.  I had skidded all the way across the runway and onto the grass."

The inspection of the airplane revealed that the right main gear forward trunion bearing broke downward while the aft trunion broke upward causing damage to the top side of the wing.  The same action caused damage to the top side of the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N177ND (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-201
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2837031
- Airframe hours: 7653
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Midwest Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1998, 50 hours before
- Departed: MML, MARSHALL, MN
- Destination: SLN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SLN, Salina Municipal, runway 17, 13,337 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 90 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLN

## 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 19980724029919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980724029919A), Jul 24, 1998: Piper PA28R201, Salina, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Nose gear and right main collapsed during landing. Prop struck runway. Aircraft veered to the right, off the runway. Damage to both wings, all 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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