# NTSB SEA90LA188: Piper PA34-200T, N3981F, Jackson, WY, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1990, 19:15 local (Sep 13, 1990, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, WY
- Coordinates: 43.469516, -110.760543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4695&lon=-110.7605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA188

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE AND LANDED HARD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SET UP FOR LANDING. THE GEAR WAS LOWERED AND A THREE GREE INDICATION WAS NOTED. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE WAS SLIGHTLY HIGH ON THE APPROACH AND POWER WAS REDUCED AND FULL FLAPS WERE EXTENDED. A CROSS WIND OF 10 KNOTS REQUIRED THE PILOT TO CRAB TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALLIGNMENT. AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT REDUCED ALL POWER AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR MADE CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE AND 'MILKED' IT BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3981F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3981F-2012-12-28), registration cancelled 2012-12-28, S/N 34-7670325, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7670325
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aurora Aviation
- Departed: 3S2, AURORA, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JAC, Jackson Hole, runway 18, 6,299 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 483 total, 4 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAC

## 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 19900912040039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900912040039A), Sep 12, 1990: Piper PA34200T, Jackson, WY, Substantial damage. Made hard landing collapsing the nose gear. Impact damaged baggage area and bulkhead and loosened the windshield.

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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