# NTSB ERA10CA441: Piper PA-28-181, N348TF, Oakland, MD, August 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2010, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Oakland, MD - Coordinates: 39.575279, -79.334724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5753&lon=-79.3347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA441 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77084/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77084 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA441 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was established on final approach, with wind reported from 310 degrees at 5 knots. He reduced the power to maintain a 500 foot-per-minute (fpm) descent rate. As the airplane slowed to 110 knots, the pilot lowered one notch of flaps. He realized that he was high on the approach, so he lowered the nose and increased the descent rate to 700 fpm. He then lowered two more notches of flaps, and the airplane continued to slow down. Over the runway threshold, the pilot began to flare and heard the stall warning horn. He misjudged his height above the runway and did not add power in the flare as the stall warning continued. He flared about 15 feet above the runway, the airplane landed hard, and the initial touchdown forced the main gears up through the wings. The airplane then bounced twice and skidded off the left side of the runway and down an embankment; the left wing and the landing gear separated during the event. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was established on final approach to runway 27, with winds reported from 310 degrees true at 5 knots. He reduced power to maintain a 500 fpm descent rate. As the airplane slowed to 110 knots, the pilot lowered one notch of flaps. He realized he was high on approach, so he lowered the nose and increased the descent rate to 700 fpm. He then lowered two more notches of flaps, and the airplane continued to slow down. Over the runway threshold, the pilot began to flare and heard the stall warning horn. He misjudged his height above the runway and did not add power in the flare as the stall warning continued. He flared about 15 feet above the runway, the airplane landed hard, and the initial touchdown "...forced the main gears up through the wings..." The airplane then bounced twice and skidded off the left side of the runway and down an embankment. An FAA inspector reported that the left wing and the landing gear broke off during the event. The pilot reported that there were no pre-existing mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N348TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N348TF-2011-06-30), registration cancelled 2011-06-30, S/N 28-7790598, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7790598 - Airframe hours: 4100 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wasser Nathan H - Registered owner: Wasser Nathan H - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2010 - Departed: CBE, Cumberland, MD - Destination: 2G4, Oakland, MD - Airport: 2G4, Garrett County Airport, runway 27, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 495 total, 375 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: 2G4 ## 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 20100819041529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100819041529A), Aug 19, 2010: Piper PA-28-181, Garrett County, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft N348TF coming in for a landing runway 27 at Garrett County Airport . Aircraft struck and bounced on the runway hard and collapsed the main gear.… ## Other investigations on N348TF (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 NYC07CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA053), Dec 31, 2006: Piper PA-28-181 (N348TF), Cumberland, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's distance/altitude during the landing approach. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77084. 877 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.