# NTSB GAA16CA491: Piper PA 28-180, N3331R, Valparaiso, IN, September 15, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 15, 2016, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.45222, -87.008331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4522&lon=-87.0083&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA491
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94028/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94028
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA491

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing touchdown the airplane bounced on the main landing gear then nosed down and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing touchdown the airplane bounced on the main landing gear then nosed down and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3331R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3331R), registered now, S/N 28-5661, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-180 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-5661
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 2015
- Departed: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN
- Destination: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County Rgnl, runway 27, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2016; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: KVPZ

## 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 20160915018329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160915018329A), Sep 15, 2016: Piper PA-28-180, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. On September 15, 2016, the pilot in command (PIC) of N3331R, a Piper cherokee, was involved in an aircraft accident at the porter county regional airport in…

## Other investigations on N3331R (4)

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 CEN22LA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA399), Aug 18, 2022: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Sullivan, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB CEN09CA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA208), Dec 29, 2008: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare during landing, resulting in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CHI98LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA329), Aug 22, 1998: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Lapaz, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in landing on unsuitable terrain (wet, grass). Factors associated with the accident were the wet grass and the fence.
- [NTSB CHI89LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA045), Jan 14, 1989: Piper PA-28-180 (N3331R), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS AND RAPID ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94028. 706 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.

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