# NTSB NYC96LA133: Piper PA-28-161, N8119H, Bridgeport, CT, June 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1996, 09:55 local (13:55 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, CT - Location: 41.1635° N, 73.1262° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRIDGEPORT/SIKORSKY (BDR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1635&lon=-73.1262&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39201 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39201/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA133 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard 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) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The student pilot had done 4 touch-and-go landings with an instructor aboard. The instructor deplaned, and the student conducted his first solo flight; he resumed doing touch-and-go landings. The student reported: 'After the first touch-and go-landing, I departed for left closed traffic for my second touch-and-go. While reporting mid-field, downwind as instructed during take-off clearance, I was informed that I was number 2 in sequence to follow traffic on right base for runway 11, and to extend my downwind leg, which I proceeded to do. Final glide path was established, aircraft was trimmed, everything looked good. Final approach was made with the engine at idle. Airspeed was bleeding off, and over the numbers was reading about 65 knots, a little high, but did not seem to be a problem. Everything looked good for the touch and go on the touchdown zone. When I touched down the aircraft ballooned. I flared and the plane ballooned again. I felt the plane was down; however, it ballooned again, and on the third attempt to land, the aircraft touched down on the nose wheel. The nose wheel tire blew, causing the propeller to strike the runway. At no time did I feel that the plane was out of control. I was able to maintain directional control and was able to clear the runway at (the taxiway). I brought the aircraft to a stop, secured it using shut-down check-list procedures.' The student reported no mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1996, about 0955 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8119H, was substantially damaged during landing at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, Bridgeport, Connecticut. The solo student pilot was not injured. The local flight was operated as a instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student had done 4 touch and go landings with an instructor aboard. The instructor deplaned, and the student conducted solo flight, doing touch-and-go landings. He was on his second touch-and-go landing when the accident occurred. The student reported: "After the first touch and go landing, I departed for left closed traffic for my second touch-and-go. While reporting mid-field, downwind as instructed during take-off clearance, I was informed that I was number 2 in sequence to follow traffic on right base for runway 11, and to extend my downwind leg, which I proceeded to do. Final glide path was established, aircraft was trimmed, everything looked good. Final approach was made with the engine at idle. Airspeed was bleeding off, and over the numbers was reading about 65 knots, a little high, but did not seem to be a problem. Everything looked good for the touch and go on the touchdown zone. "When I touched down the aircraft ballooned. I reflared and the plane ballooned again. I felt the plane was down; however, it ballooned again, and on the third attempt to land, the aircraft touched down on the nose wheel. The nose wheel tire blew, causing the propeller to strike the runway. At no time did I feel that the plane was out of control. I was able to maintain directional control and was able to clear the runway at (the taxiway). I brought the aircraft to a stop, secured it using shut-down check-list procedures." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction. He stated the accident could have been prevented by executing a go-around or "added power to balked landing and reflared." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8119H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8119H), registered now, S/N 28-8016127, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-816127 - Airframe hours: 5177 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Three Wings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: BDR - Destination: BDR - Airport: BDR, Igor Sikorsky Memorial, runway 11, 4,761 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 60 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BDR ## 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 19960629019849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960629019849A), Jun 29, 1996: Piper PA28161, Bridgeport, CT, Substantial damage. Ballooned third time landing. Came down on nose. Blew tire bent prop. Failed go around or use proper recovery. 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.