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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 28, 1989 · Piper PA-34-200 · N831SR

Sarasota, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 28, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sarasota, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N831SR
Operator
Hietfield Richard V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA90LA045

THE PLT WAS INITIALLY CLEARED TO LAND ON RWY 32, BUT HIS CLEARANCE WAS CHANGED TO RWY 22. ALSO, THE PLT WAS ASKED TO KEEP HIS SPEED UP. HE STATED THAT AT 200 FT, HIS AIRSPEED WAS INDICATING 89 KTS & HE ELECTED TO LAND LONG. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT BEGAN PORPOISING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR & PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO TAXI THE ACFT TO THE FBO.

NTSB Probable Cause

EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED FOR LANDING AND IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE; AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS INITIALLY CLEARED TO LAND ON RWY 32, BUT HIS CLEARANCE WAS CHANGED TO RWY 22. ALSO, THE PLT WAS ASKED TO KEEP HIS SPEED UP. HE STATED THAT AT 200 FT, HIS AIRSPEED WAS INDICATING 89 KTS & HE ELECTED TO LAND LONG. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT BEGAN PORPOISING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR & PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO TAXI THE ACFT TO THE FBO.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 EST
Nearest AirportSarasota-Bradenton (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5004 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN831SR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHietfield Richard V
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-E · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 12 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data