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NTSB Report

September 17, 1989 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N9816C

Delphi, IN

Overview

Report Status

Probable Cause

Event Type

Accident

Date

September 17, 1989

Injury Outcomes

No injuries (2 uninjured)

Location

Delphi, IN

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-201

Tail Number

N9816C

Injuries

None

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

CHI89LA190

THE COMMERCIAL STUDENT PILOT AND HIS INSTRUCTOR WERE ON FINAL APPROACH, WHEN THE AIRPLANE GOT INTO A HIGH SINK RATE AND ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT A HARD LANDING OCCURRED JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE HIGH SINK RATE THAT DEVELOPED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT ON FINAL APPROACH.

Full Narrative

THE COMMERCIAL STUDENT PILOT AND HIS INSTRUCTOR WERE ON FINAL APPROACH, WHEN THE AIRPLANE GOT INTO A HIGH SINK RATE AND ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT A HARD LANDING OCCURRED JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time14:15 EDT

Nearest AirportDelphi Municipal (0nm N)

Runway36

Runway Length2891 ft

Runway Width50 ft

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201

Tail NumberN9816C

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageSubstantial

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured2

Total2

Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

WindCalm

Visibility15 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point54

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Weather SourcePILO

500 – Data service is offline

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September 17, 1989 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N9816C

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