# NTSB GAA17CA452: Piper PA28, N2204B, St. Joseph, IL, July 30, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 29, 2017, 21:15 local (Jul 30, 2017, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Joseph, IL
- Coordinates: 40.064998, -88.025276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0650&lon=-88.0253&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: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA452
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95707/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95707
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA452

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapsing and subsequent loss of directional control.

## 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-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102815), [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-28-236, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md)
- [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03010000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03010000/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03010000/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-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing at night, the threshold and right side runway lights were out of service at the airport. He added that he "must have been closer [to the ground] than [he] estimated" on approach because the airplane landed flat. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered left, and he attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane came to rest left of the runway in an adjacent cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. 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, while landing at night, the threshold and right side runway lights were out of service at the airport. He added that, he "must have been closer [to the ground] than [he] estimated" on approach because the airplane landed flat. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered left and he attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane came to rest left of the runway in an adjacent cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2204B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2204B-2018-03-22), registration cancelled 2018-03-22, S/N 28-7911012, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (236)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911012
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 3391
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2016
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Destination: 9IL2, St. Joseph, IL
- Airport: 9IL2, Routh, runway 36, 2,664 × 134 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,335 total, 2,079 in this make and model, 3,097 as pilot in command, 7.5 in the last 90 days, 6.4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KCMI, 12 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 20170729012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170729012669A), Jul 29, 2017: Piper PA-28-236, St Joseph, IL, Substantial damage. The pilot and three other passengers were heading back from the eaa oshkosh airshow when the aircraft expirenced a hard landing at the destination airport…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95707. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 784 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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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