# NTSB MKC84LA022: Piper PA-32RT-3, N8229A, Millard, NE, November 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1983, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Millard, NE
- Coordinates: 41.209537, -96.119522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2095&lon=-96.1195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (cause)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL FROM VFR-ON-TOP, THE PLT WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS FOR THE NDB APCH. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS DURING THE APCH FOR ONLY ABOUT 5 TO 8 MIN. HE REPORTED THAT APRX 1/2 MI OUT ON FINAL APCH, THE NOSE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY HEAVY AND THE AIRSPEED GAGE WAS INDICATING 90 KTS. A GO-AROUND WAS STARTED. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRSPEED INCREASED TO 92 KTS, BUT THE NOSE PITCHED FURTHER DOWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD, NOSEWHEEL FIRST, BOUNCED & STRUCK THE RWY. THE NOSEWHEEL COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING & THE ACFT CAME TO REST JUST OFF THE RWY. REPORTEDLY, PRX 1/8 INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION WAS FOUND ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FLT CONTROL PROBLEMS. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT ICE HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE PITOT TUBE. HE STATED THAT THE PITOT HEAD WAS SLOW TO HEAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE ACFT ACTED LIKE IT WAS FLYING AT ONLY 75 TO 80 KTS WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8229A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8229A-2011-03-23), registration cancelled 2011-03-23, S/N 32R-7987045 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-3
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7987045
- Airframe hours: 1051
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: General Novelty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1983, 83 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MLE, Millard, runway 12, 3,800 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,500 total, 353 in this make and model, 15,320 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 17 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 19831116057539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831116057539A), Nov 16, 1983: Piper PA32RT300T, Omaha, NE, Substantial damage. Failed to flare for high speed landing. Impact collapsed landing gear. Ice noted on wing leading edge.

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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