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GAA16CA491

2016-09-15 · Valparaiso, Indiana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport VPZ

Current FAA registration · N3331R

Make / Model
PIPER PA-28-180
Year of manufacture
1969 · 47 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19691001
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A3A37F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing touchdown the airplane bounced on the main landing gear then nosed down and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during the landing touchdown the airplane bounced on the main landing gear then nosed down and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA491.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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