# NTSB WPR11CA470: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8056B, Chandler, AZ, September 28, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 28, 2011, 11:11 local (18:11 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.26889, -111.811111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2689&lon=-111.8111&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 1, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA470 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81919/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81919 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA470 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's and pilot-undergoing-instruction's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-28RT-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot-undergoing-instruction (PUI) completed the landing checklist, but delayed the landing gear extension because they were conducting a 180-degree power-off approach. On final approach, as they were preparing to extend the landing gear, the air traffic controller told them to conduct a go-around because the landing gear was not extended. They extended the landing gear, and the CFI verified three green lights. He then requested permission to land and the tower controller cleared the airplane to land. As the airplane approached the runway, a high sink rate developed. The CFI told the PUI to add power, and the CFI simultaneously started to move the throttle control forward. The CFI said that his hand slipped past the PUI's hand, and he reached again to push the throttle forward when the airplane touched down hard on the runway. They aborted the landing, conducted a low approach to verify the position of the landing gear, and landed uneventfully. A postaccident examination revealed rib damage to the left wing. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) submitted a written statement. He was preparing the commercial pilot-undergoing-instruction (PUI) for her CFI certificate. The purpose of the flight was to work on commercial-level takeoff and landing requirements. After departing, they entered the airport traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, they completed the landing checklist but delayed the landing gear extension because they intended on conducting a 180-degree power off approach. On final approach as they were preparing to extend the landing gear, the air traffic control tower controller told them to conduct a go-around because the landing gear was not extended. They extended the landing gear and the CFI verified three green lights. He then requested permission to land and the tower controller cleared the airplane to land. As the airplane approached the runway, a high sink rate had developed. The CFI told the PUI to add power while simultaneously starting to move the throttle control forward. The CFI indicated that his hand slipped past the PUI's hand, and he reached again to push the throttle forward when the airplane touched down hard on the runway. They aborted the landing and after conducting a low approach to verify the position of the landing gear, they landed uneventfully. A post accident examination revealed rib damage to the left wing. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8056B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8056B), registered now, S/N 28R-8218011, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-8218011 - Airframe hours: 5397 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Chandler Air Service Inc - Registered owner: Chandler Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 2011, 37 hours before - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal Airport, runway 04L, 4,870 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 7,514 total, 179 in this make and model, 7,214 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 531 total, 46 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHD ## 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 20110928022629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110928022629A), Sep 28, 2011: Piper PA-28RT-201, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. On [privacy data omitted][privacy data omitted][privacy data omitted]mullins^ was at the controls. On the first attempt, the aircraft completed the 180 degree… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81919. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - CFI and PUI Statements (item 2, .PDF, 360 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20and%20PUI%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Left Wing Damage (Provided by FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Provided%20by%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.