No fatalities

Substantial damage to wings and fuselage after porpoising landing (N228R)

Madison, WI, US

On October 8, 1992, a Piper PA-34-220T (registration N228R) operated by Joseph T. Steuer was involved in an aviation accident near Madison, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN IMPROPER FLARE. A FACTOR RELATED WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced a bounced landing with multiple nose gear impacts, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe during gusty wind conditions.

What happened

The aircraft settled onto the runway surface from an approximate altitude of three feet while the pilot was performing the landing flare. Upon initial contact, the airplane bounced upward and subsequently struck the pavement with the nose gear making first contact. This sequence caused the aircraft to porpoise, or bounce repeatedly, three to four times before the pilot was able to regain full control of the aircraft.

The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to both the wings and the fuselage. At the time of the accident, reported wind conditions were from 130 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts reaching 21 knots.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Oct 1992 Piper PA-34-220T accident near Madison, WI?

An aircraft experienced a bounced landing with multiple nose gear impacts, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe during gusty wind conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Oct 1992 Piper PA-34-220T accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Oct 1992 involved a Piper PA-34-220T, registration N228R, operated by Joseph T. Steuer, at Madison, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN IMPROPER FLARE. A FACTOR RELATED WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15832. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.