N8154H

Substantial
None

Piper PA-44-180S/N: 44-8107001

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, October 27, 2005
NTSB Number
LAX06CA020
Location
Prescott, AZ
Event ID
20051207X01947
Coordinates
34.654445, -112.419441
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The nose landing gear collapsing during the landing roll for undetermined reasons.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N8154H
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
44-8107001
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1950
Model / ICAO
PA-44-180PA44
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HELICOPTER UTILITIES INC
Address
WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT
PO BOX 109
Status
Deregistered
City
WHITE PLAINS
State / Zip Code
NY 10601
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane experienced a landing gear collapse while on the landing roll. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that she was performing a landing in the multiengine airplane. The student kept his hands on the control yoke in an attempt to follow along with the instructor and feel her control inputs. While approaching the runway surface, the CFI configured the airplane for a power-off landing and retarded the throttles aft. She noted that all three landing gear lights in the cockpit were illuminated green in indication that landing gear was in a down and locked position. She confirmed this configuration visually by looking at the reflection of the extended landing gear in a small mirror located on the wing. Upon touchdown, the main landing gear made contact with the runway and the student pilot began to reach for the landing gear handle thinking that it was the flap handle. The CFI waved her hand to block him and told him "no." The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid on the nose. After the airplane came to rest the CFI noted that the landing gear handle was in the "down" position. The student pilot stated that he did not touch the landing gear handle.

A mechanic repairing the airplane reported that the landing gear and linkages were all intact with no anomalies noted. The actuator was not tested due to the extent of the damage. The airplane incurred damage to a rib in the nose.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX06CA020