# NTSB ERA11CA052: Piper PA-28R-200, N56101, Cambridge, MD, October 23, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2010, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Cambridge, MD - Coordinates: 38.539443, -76.030281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5394&lon=-76.0303&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77764/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77764 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA052 ## Probable cause The commercial pilot’s inadequate flare during landing and the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [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-28R-200, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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-28R-200, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was for him to give instruction to the commercial pilot, who was working toward his flight instructor certificate. At the destination airport, the CFI demonstrated a power-off 180-degree approach to landing. The commercial pilot successfully demonstrated four of the same approaches and began the fifth approach. During the landing, the commercial pilot misjudged the landing flare which resulted in a firm touchdown. The CFI attempted to maneuver the airplane in a nose-high configuration, but was unable to apply enough back pressure to prevent a firm touchdown, due to the force being applied by the commercial pilot. Upon touchdown, the CFI executed a go-around maneuver and then flew to the home airport where they landed without incident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the outboard and inboard ribs. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the hard landing. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor, the flight departed for the purpose of providing instruction to the commercial pilot in the right seat, who was working toward his flight instructor certificate. At the destination airport, the flight instructor demonstrated a “power-off 180-degree approach to landing,” then the commercial pilot successfully demonstrated four of the same approaches. On the fifth approach, the commercial pilot “misjudged the landing flare” which resulted in a "firm touchdown." The flight instructor "attempted to pull back on the stabilator control" but was unable to apply enough back pressure to prevent a firm touchdown, due to the force being applied by the commercial pilot. Upon touchdown, the flight instructor executed a go-around maneuver and then flew to the home airport where they landed without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the outboard and inboard ribs. The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the hard landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56101](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56101), registered now, S/N 28R-7335354, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7335354 - Airframe hours: 7457 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Seniram Air Inc - Registered owner: Seniram Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 2010 - Departed: ANP, Edgewater, MD - Destination: KCGE, Cambridge, MD - Airport: KCGE, Cambridge-Dorchester Airport, runway 34, 4,477 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,822 total, 149 in this make and model, 1,624 as pilot in command, 169 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 650 total, 11 in this make and model, 628 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: ESN, 16 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 20101023049569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101023049569A), Oct 23, 2010: Piper PA-28R-200, Cambridge, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot giving instruction to a CFI student landed hard. Left main gear damaged left wing during touchdown. Created visible damage to the top of the left wing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77764. 623 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 545 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Conversation with aircraft mechanic (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20with%20aircraft%20mechanic-Master.PDF - Conversation with flight instructor (item 4, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20with%20flight%20instructor-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.