# NTSB WPR11CA314: Piper PA-28R-201, N47869, Spanish Fork, UT, July 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2011, 14:27 local (20:27 UTC) - Place: Spanish Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.137779, -111.667221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1378&lon=-111.6672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 80994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80994/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80994 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA314 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he started his flare on landing and realized he was too high. He stated that he increased the throttle slightly, but the airplane still touched down hard and bounced. At this point he added full power to initiate a go around but the airplane did not climb. The airplane veered off the runway into the grass where the landing gear collapsed. There was substantial damage to the right wing, and damage to the landing gear and flaps. The density altitude at the time of the accident was 7,100 feet. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he started his flare on landing and realized he was too high. The pilot stated that he increased the throttle slightly, but the airplane still touched down hard and bounced. At this point the pilot added full power to initiate a go around but the airplane did not climb. The airplane veered off the runway into the grass where the landing gear collapsed. There was substantial damage to the right wing, and damage to the landing gear and flaps. The density altitude at the time of the accident was 7,100 feet (ft). The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47869](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47869), registered now, S/N 28R-7837008, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7837008 - Airframe hours: 7114 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Diamond Flight Center - Registered owner: Allairus LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2011, 28 hours before - Departed: U77, Spanish Fork, VT - Destination: U77, Spanish Fork, VT - Airport: U77, Spanish Fork Airport, runway 30, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 31 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 97° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 5 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 20110704013039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110704013039A), Jul 4, 2011: Piper PA-28R-201, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot departed near max gross weight with 3 passengers in PA28. Density altitude was a factor. Flew to nearby airport and then around the valley for… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80994. 514 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 431 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Aileron with damage - Courtesy of FAA (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Aileron%20with%20damage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.