# NTSB LAX90LA161: Piper PA28-140, N4343F, Santa Rosa, CA, May 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1990, 17:45 local (May 2, 1990, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.50061, -122.759231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5006&lon=-122.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA161

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED HARD ON LANDING AND SHE LOST CONTROL. SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE, EVENTUALLY COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4343F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4343F-2009-02-05), registration cancelled 2009-02-05, S/N 28-7725009, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7725009
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Redwood Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: STS, Santa Rosa, runway 32, 5,115 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 61 total, 4 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900501012239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900501012239A), May 1, 1990: Piper PA28140, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Lost control.

## Other investigations on N4343F (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 ATL85LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA044), Nov 26, 1984: Piper PA-28-140 (N4343F), Nicholasville, KY, substantial damage

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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