# NTSB ERA11LA386: Piper PA-32R-301, N8319N, Louisville, KY, July 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2011, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Louisville, KY - Coordinates: 38.227779, -85.663612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2278&lon=-85.6636&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81028 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA386 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81028/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81028 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA386 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse. ## 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-32R-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7103218), [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-32R-301, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103218), [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-32R-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot performed a steep descent while on approach, and the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. The left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, where it struck a taxiway sign and sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and both wings. When interviewed after the accident, the pilot did not report experiencing any mechanical malfunctions. However, he subsequently reported that the engine did not respond to a throttle control input after the airplane bounced and that he was not certain whether he experienced any mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. The airplane had been operated for about 20 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 4 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2011, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N8319N, operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged while landing at Bowman Field Airport (LOU), Louisville, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane was on approach to runway 24, a 4,326-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt, runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that the airplane was high and he utilized a steep descent to approach the runway. The airplane touched down on the runway, and bounced. The left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, where it struck a taxiway sign, and sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and both wings. The pilot did not report experiencing any mechanical malfunctions when interviewed by an FAA inspector after the accident. In a written statement, he subsequently reported that he performed a rapid turn and descent to the runway after the airplane was cleared for a left base to final approach. The pilot further stated that the engine did not respond to a throttle control input after the airplane bounced, and he was not certain if he experienced any mechanical malfunctions. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming IO-540 series, 300-horsepower engine. Subsequent examination of the airframe and engine by an FAA inspector did not reveal any mechanical abnormalities. The engine was rotated by hand via the propeller, which remained attached and displayed curled tips on both blades. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders and spark was observed at all spark plug ignition leads. Examination of the throttle and mixture controls did not reveal any discrepancies, and fuel flow was observed from all fuel injector lines when the boost pump was activated. The airplane had been operated for about 20 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on February 24, 2011. The pilot reported 3,800 hours of total flight experience, which included 3,600 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8319N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8319N), registered now, S/N 32R-8113029, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8113029 - Airframe hours: 3856 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 2011, 20 hours before - Departed: MLB, Melbourne, FL - Destination: LOU, Louisville, KY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LOU, Bowman Field, runway 24, 4,326 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 3,600 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: LOU ## 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 20110702015939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110702015939A), Jul 2, 2011: Piper PA-32R-301, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot states: while landing at Louisville, KY (lou) rnwy 24, he was high and that his rate of descent was above normal... 800 fpm. When the aircraft touched… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81028. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Interview Memorandum (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Maintenance Record (excerpt) (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record%20(excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of runway and airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20runway%20and%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – View of airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-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.