# NTSB NYC93LA053: Piper PA-28-180, N5135L, Oxford, CT, December 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1992, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, CT
- Location: 41.4783° N, 73.1352° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WATERBURY-OXFORD (OXC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4783&lon=-73.1352&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LEVEL OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. CONTRIBUTING WERE WIND GUSTS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 31.  THE AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEM (AWOS) REPORTED WINDS FROM 300 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS.  THE AIRPLANE LOST ALTITUDE AND LANDED HARD ON THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RECOVERY BY APPLYING POWER.  THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO PORPOISE, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY ONTO THE GRASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5135L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5135L), registered now, S/N 28-4418, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-28-4418
- Airframe hours: 4724
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank A. Rinaldi
- Registered owner: Frank A. Rinaldi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1992, 41 hours before
- Departed: OXC
- Destination: OXC
- Airport: OXC, Waterbury-Oxford, runway 31, 1,999 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,006 total, 206 in this make and model, 907 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Observed at: BDR, 20 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 19921220000359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921220000359A), Dec 20, 1992: Piper PA28180, Oxford, CT, Substantial damage. Dropped suddenly to runway on final. Bounced and porpoised. Added power. Nosed gear collapsed. Veered off runway.

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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