Bounce and Go-Around in Gusty Conditions

A landing bounce, a go-around decision, and wind gusts at low altitude — the Archer's weight and energy demand precision

Piper Archer · Tampa Executive Airport (KVDF) · Private · Landing / Go-Around

The scenario

• {'label': 'Field', 'value': 'KVDF · Tampa Executive'}
• {'label': 'Runways', 'value': '5/23 · 18/36'}
• {'label': 'Elevation', 'value': '22 ft'}
• {'label': 'Aircraft', 'value': 'PA-28-181'}
• {'label': 'Dominant phase', 'value': 'Landing / Takeoff'}

The decision

Before we get into the decision tree — what do you already know about go-arounds in the Piper Archer? (Pick all that apply; this records your baseline.)

What the record shows

What the NTSB files show

Key lesson — A go-around in the Piper Archer in gusty crosswind conditions at low altitude is a high-risk maneuver. The Archer's weight and energy demand precision: a fast or high approach floats and bites runway. If a bounce occurs, commit to the go-around immediately, apply full power, stage flap reduction (do not raise all flaps at once), and maintain airspeed above Vs0 (45 KIAS) at all costs. A gust that drops a wing when airspeed is low results in a stall at 50 ft AGL — a fatal accident. Off Runway 23 at KVDF, the off-field environment is marginal; there is no open field to land in. Know your crosswind limits and your go-around procedure before you line up on final approach.

Debrief — teaching points

The Archer is heavier and faster than a Warrior — it carries more energy into the landing.

The Piper Archer PA-28-181 is a 180 hp, low-wing airplane with a maximum gross weight of 2,550 lbs. It is significantly heavier and faster than a Piper Warrior. A fast or high approach in the Archer floats further down the runway and bites harder on touchdown. A bounce in the Archer is more energetic than in a Warrior. Know the Archer's approach characteristics: a shallower, longer approach is required to land on the first third of the runway. If you find yourself high or fast on final, go around — do not try to salvage a bad approach with a hard landing or a bounce.

A bounce is a go-around trigger — commit immediately.

When the airplane bounces, you have a decision window of 3–4 seconds: land again or go around. The Archer's energy means a second landing attempt is risky — you may bounce again or land hard. A go-around is the safer choice. But a go-around at 20 ft AGL in gusty conditions is also risky. The key is to commit to the decision immediately: if you decide to go around, apply full power at once and establish a climb. Hesitation or a delayed power application invites a stall.

Full power immediately — delay in adding power during a low-airspeed go-around results in a stall.

When you initiate a go-around, advance the throttle to full power immediately. At 20 ft AGL with flaps 40° and airspeed 55 KIAS, you are at the edge of a stall. The engine is your only tool to generate lift and climb. A delayed power application means airspeed continues to decay — and a stall at 20 ft AGL is fatal. Full power now; manage the flaps and pitch after you have established a climb.

Stage flap reduction — do not raise all flaps at once.

When you raise flaps during a go-around, do it in stages: 40° → 20° → 0°. Raising flaps all at once causes a sudden loss of lift and a pitch-down moment that can be difficult to control at low altitude with low airspeed. Staging the reduction allows you to manage the pitch change and maintain airspeed. At 20 ft AGL with airspeed 55 KIAS, raising flaps to 0° in one motion can result in a pitch-down that you over-correct with back pressure — and a stall.

Maintain airspeed above Vs0 (45 KIAS) — it is the priority.

Vs0 for the Archer is 45 KIAS (landing configuration, flaps 40°). As you raise flaps, Vs0 decreases, but during the transition (flaps 40° → 20° → 0°) the stall speed is changing. Maintain a target airspeed of at least 60 KIAS during the go-around to ensure a margin above stall. If airspeed decays below 55 KIAS with flaps extended, a gust that drops a wing will result in a stall. Pitch attitude and back pressure are secondary to airspeed — if airspeed is decaying, lower the nose and accept a shallower climb.

Crosswind gusts at low altitude compound the risk — anticipate and correct aggressively.

A crosswind gust during a go-around can drop a wing and disrupt your pitch attitude. At 50 ft AGL with airspeed 55 KIAS, a 10-knot gust can drop the wing and induce a stall. Anticipate gusts: if the wind is gusty, be ready to apply aileron and rudder to level the wing. Do not wait for the wing to drop — correct proactively. And maintain a shallow pitch attitude (nose slightly up, not steeply pitched) so that if a gust drops the wing, you have room to apply back pressure without inducing a secondary stall.

Brief your go-around procedure before the approach — do not improvise at 20 ft AGL.

Before you begin the approach, brief yourself on the go-around procedure: full power, flaps 20° at 50 ft AGL, flaps 0° at 100 ft AGL, climb to pattern altitude. Write it down if you need to. When the bounce happens and you are at 20 ft AGL, you will not have time to think — you will execute the procedure you briefed. Improvisation at low altitude in gusty conditions is a recipe for a stall.

Built from the real accident record

Scenario built from NTSB ERA21LA139 (2021 PA-28-181 stall during go-around), CEN12LA337 (2012 PA-28-181 aborted landing / tree strike), ERA09CA322 (2009 PA-28-181 directional control loss), CHI08CA147 (2008 PA-28-181 stall during go-around), and regional precedents ERA20CA072 (Beech 23 go-around stall in crosswind), ATL07CA048 (Mooney M20J go-around stall), GAA17CA103 (Piper PA-28-140 crosswind go-around upset), MIA08CA179 (Cessna 172SP wind-induced go-around loss of control). Anonymized and localized to KVDF.

NTSB reports: ERA21LA139 · CEN12LA337 · ERA09CA322 · CHI08CA147 · ERA20CA072 · ATL07CA048 · GAA17CA103 · MIA08CA179

ACS tasks: PA.II.D — Approach and Landing · PA.II.E — Go-Around / Rejected Landing · PA.I.F — Weather Information · PA.I.H — Human Factors · PA.IX.C — Emergency Approach and Landing

Relevant FARs: §91.3 · §91.13 · §91.103

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