N723JP

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-31TS/N: 31T-7920009

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, February 4, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA116
Location
Columbia, MO
Event ID
20100209X10033
Coordinates
38.818054, -92.219718
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to verify that the landing gear was fully extended prior to landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
31T-7920009
Engine Type
Turbo-prop
Year Built
1978
Model / ICAO
PA-31TPAY2
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2
Seats
8
FAA Model
PA-31T

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
TIFFIN AIRE INC
Address
1778 W US 224
City
TIFFIN
State / Zip Code
OH 44883
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during landing at the intended destination airport under visual weather conditions and light winds. He stated that upon landing, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement and came to rest about mid-field in the grass adjacent to the runway. It had rotated about 180 degrees and was oriented on an approximately reciprocal heading. The right main landing gear also collapsed during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that verifying the landing gear indications was normally part of his before landing procedure. However, he could not specifically recall observing three green indications prior to the accident. A post accident examination revealed substantial damage to the lower fuselage in the vicinity of the cabin entry door. In addition, the inboard landing gear doors exhibited crushing damage consistent with the landing gear being in transit at the time of contact with the runway. The inboard landing gear doors open when the gear is in transit and close after the gear extension sequence is complete. Recorded winds at the time of the accident were 8 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA116