# NTSB MKC90LA025: Piper PA-32-300, N4114W, Hays, KS, November 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1989, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hays, KS
- Coordinates: 38.86938, -99.309364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8694&lon=-99.3094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - separation

## Analysis

WHILE MAKING A NORMAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FLARED TOO HIGH WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. THE LEFT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE LANDING GEAR AND THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4114W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4114W), registered now, S/N 32-40177, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40177
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boyer, Robert E.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EQA, EL DORADO, KS
- Destination: HYS, HAYS, KS
- Airport: HYS, Hays, runway 16, 6,301 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 368 total, 137 in this make and model, 341 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HYS, 1 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 19891110044999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891110044999A), Nov 10, 1989: Piper PA32300, Hays, KS, Substantial damage. Flared too high for landing. Dropped to runway. Impact broke off the left main wheel.

## Other investigations on N4114W (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 MIA68F0437](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68F0437), Feb 29, 1968: Piper PA-32 (N4114W), W.Palm Beach, FL, 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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