# NTSB LAX04CA289: Piper PA-28-181, N8414E, Scottsdale, AZ, August 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2004, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.620277, -111.910278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6203&lon=-111.9103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA289 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudged flare, resulting in a stall and hard landing, and his failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing is a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The airplane landed hard and veered off the runway. The student pilot was attempting a touch-and-go practice takeoff and landing. During the landing flare, the airplane's nose pitched up excessively, and he opted to execute a go-around. Before he could apply power, the nose dropped, and the propeller blades impacted the runway surface. The airplane bounced down the runway, veering to the left. The airplane continued off of the runway into a gravel area, and the pilot applied brake pressure, bringing the airplane to a stop. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2004, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8414E, experienced a hard landing and veered off the runway at the Scottsdale Airport, Scottsdale, Arizona. Sabena Airline Training Center was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight originated from Scottsdale about 0855. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he was attempting a touch-and-go practice takeoff and landing on runway 21, after completing several earlier in the flight. On final approach he configured the airplane with 40 degrees of wing flaps, and aligned the airplane on runway centerline. During the landing flare, the airplane's nose pitched up excessively, and he opted to execute a go-around. Before he could apply power, the nose dropped, and the propeller blades impacted the runway surface. The airplane bounced down the runway, veering to the left. The airplane continued off of the runway into a gravel area, and the pilot applied brake pressure, bringing the airplane to a stop. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. During the accident the airplane incurred damage to the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8414E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843158 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sabena Airline Training Center - Registered owner: Intermountain Air LC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Destination: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale Airport, runway 21 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040810017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040810017699A), Aug 10, 2004: Piper PA28181, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot was solo on his third landing as he flared to land the aircraft landed hard and bounced back into the air. Student pilot pushed forward on… 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.