# NTSB FTW92LA175: Piper PA-32-300, N4046R, Granbury, TX, July 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1992, 21:52 local (Jul 8, 1992, 02:52 UTC)
- Place: Granbury, TX
- Coordinates: 32.440116, -97.780815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4401&lon=-97.7808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA175

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING LANDING AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND BOUNCED THREE TIMES BEFORE DEPARTING OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED IN A DITCH.  THE PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND UNTIL AFTER THE THIRD BOUNCE.  HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND A FOURTH TIME AND THE PILOT ABANDONED THE GO AROUND ATTEMPT.  ALL THREE GEAR WERE DRIVEN UP THROUGH THE AIRPLANE STRUCTURE AS WAS THE TAIL TIE DOWN RING.  THE PILOT HAD LOADED THE AIRPLANE WITH 560 POUNDS OF CONCRETE BLOCKS AND A SACK OF CONCRETE TO SIMULATE A LOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4046R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4046R-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 32-40345, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40345
- Airframe hours: 3103
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E4B5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mulhern, Michael L.
- Registered owner: Stolzer, Dale V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: F55, Cherry Field, runway 14, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 430 total, 130 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920707024019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920707024019A), Jul 7, 1992: Piper PA32300, Granbury, TX, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised after landing on nose gear. Impact drove main gear struts thru wings. Had practice full load.

## Other investigations on N4046R (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 FTW69A0078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69A0078), May 2, 1969: Piper PA-32 (N4046R), Whitesboro, TX, destroyed, 6 fatal

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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