# NTSB LAX92LA111: Piper PA-28-180, N7086W, Alturas, CA, February 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1992, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Alturas, CA
- Coordinates: 41.430908, -120.529861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4309&lon=-120.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE AND HIS IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE.

## 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)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT PLANNED TO MAKE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING.  HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN TOO HARD ON THE MAIN WHEELS AND IT PROCEEDED TO BOUNCE AND PORPOISE.  THE PILOT FAILED TO TAKE ADEQUATE CORRECTIVE ACTION, AND AFTER THE THIRD BOUNCE/PORPOISE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE AIRPLANE SLID 165 FEET BEFORE FINALLY DEPARTING THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7086W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-836
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph V. Marson
- Registered owner: Joseph Marson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1991
- Airport: O00, Alturas, runway 21, 3,460 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 36 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920205001939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920205001939A), Feb 5, 1992: Piper PA28180, Alturas, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised landing until nose gear collapsed and prop hit runway. Failed use timely recovery procedure.

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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