N9237Y

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-31P-350S/N: 31P-8414022

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA142
Location
North Bend, OR
Event ID
20110223X00020
Coordinates
42.416942, -124.246948
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear while on approach to landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow a written checklist during the approach portion of the flight.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
31P-8414022
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
PA-31P-350PA31
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2
Seats
7
FAA Model
PA 31P 350

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
IAL CORP
Address
16192 COASTAL HWY
City
LEWES
State / Zip Code
DE 19958-3608
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, while in the process of executing a terminal instrument approach to his home airport, he transitioned from instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) to visual meteorological conditions (VMC). He therefore canceled his instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and transitioned from the terminal instrument approach to a visual flight rules (VFR) approach pattern. During this sequence of events, the pilot, who was not following a written checklist, inadvertently forgot to lower the landing gear. During the landing flare, the pilot heard the noise caused by the wing flaps and both propellers contacting the surface of the runway, and therefore he added power and immediately executed a go-around. The pilot then entered a closed pattern, lowered the landing gear and repositioned the flaps, before making an uneventful landing. According to the pilot, during his approach he heard the gear warning horn sounding, but he thought it was the altitude alerting system. An inspection of both the runway surface scarring and each propeller blade revealed that the tips of all six blades had been ground down by repeated contact with the asphalt surface. The pilot also said that the airplane did not have any system malfunctions.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA142