N3640D

Substantial
None

PIPER AEROSTAR 6S/N: 61P08098063419

Accident Details

Date
Friday, November 21, 2008
NTSB Number
CEN09CA119
Location
Middletown, OH
Event ID
20090106X50844
Coordinates
39.531665, -84.396385
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to verify that the landing gear was down and locked prior to landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N3640D
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
61P08098063419
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
AEROSTAR 6AEST
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Analysis

The pilot stated that after an uneventful flight, he entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport. He extended the landing gear as the airplane was crossing mid-field on downwind for runway 23 (6,100 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). There was a right quartering headwind for landing. The pilot noted he was focused on maintaining airspeed and establishing the proper crosswind landing attitude. As a result, he failed to check the landing gear position lights in order to verify that the gear was down and locked. After landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane skidded to the left and came to rest in the grass area adjacent to the runway. The pilot noted the cockpit landing gear lever provided resistance although it was not fully in the down position. He added that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA119