# NTSB GAA17CA345: Piper PA28, N9763K, Hartford, CT, June 10, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2017, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Hartford, CT
- Coordinates: 41.738887, -72.648056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7389&lon=-72.6481&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95388/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95388
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA345

## 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-28-181, 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: 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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing, the airplane bounced. She added that she attempted to correct, but the propeller struck the runway. The pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing, the airplane bounced. She added that she attempted to correct, but the propeller struck the runway. The pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9763K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9763K-2018-11-17), registration cancelled 2018-11-17, S/N 28-7890178, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 28-7890178
- Year built: 1978
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Connecticut Flight Club
- Registered owner: Bahia Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2016
- Departed: GBR, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA
- Destination: HFD, Hartford, CT
- Airport: HFD, Hartford-Brainard, runway 20, 4,417 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 158 total, 20 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KHFD

## 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 20170610006009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170610006009A), Jun 10, 2017: Piper PA-28-181, Hartford, CT, Substantial damage. From ^Ms. Shea's ^statement: landing on runway 20 at khfd at 12:50PM on 06/10/2016 cleared to land right base for runway 20 set up stabilized approach upon…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95388. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%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.

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