# NTSB NYC94LA182: Piper PA-28-181, N3024M, Buffalo, NY, September 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1994, 22:45 local (Sep 22, 1994, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, NY
- Coordinates: 42.900325, -78.890258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9003&lon=-78.8903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA182

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.  A factor is the pilot's improper landing flare.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

During landing on runway 32, the airplane bounced twice, during which, and unbeknown to the pilot, the propeller struck the runway. The pilot aborted the landing, returned to the airport, and landed without incident.  Later, after he shutdown the engine, ground personnel informed him that the airplane was damaged. The pilot in retrospect reported, 'It seems likely that my hands were forced forward somewhat on the yoke and throttle on the jolt of the first bounce.  This may have amplified the second bounce which is when the propeller strike probably happened.

## Factual narrative

On September 21, 1994, at 2245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3024M, piloted by Eric Wabschall, was substantially damaged while landing at Buffalo International Airport, Buffalo, New York.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

After landing on runway 32, the pilot wrote in his statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, " upon landing I bounced the plane twice, and elected to go around."  After aborting the landing, he returned to the airport, and landed on runway 14.  After deplaning the pilot was told by a line crew member the airplane had been damaged.  The pilot wrote on his statement:

...after some reflection, it seems likely that my hands      were forced forward somewhat on the yoke and throttle      on the jolt of the first bounce.  This may have      amplified the second bounce which is when the propeller      strike probably happened.

In a telephone interview with the pilot the NTSB learned from him that this was his first solo night landing after receiving a 2 hour night check flight.  By the pilot's own admission he was not very proficient in night flight operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3024M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3024M), registered now, S/N 28-7890286, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 287890286
- Airframe hours: 5651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Prior Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1994, 47 hours before
- Departed: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Airport: BUF, Buffalo International, runway 32, 5,373 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 81 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.