PIPER PA-28RT-201T
Spring, TX, November 18, 2010
Event Information
| Date | November 18, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Spring, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 30.06194, -95.55278 |
| Airport | David Wayne Hooks Memorial |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | CEN11CA103 |
| Event ID | 20101210X51810 |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-28RT-201T |
| Registration # | N8320H |
| Operator | STICK LARRY G |
| Owner | STICK LARRY G |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The failure of the right landing gear down-lock mechanism to fully engage. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to verify the landing gear extension due to the inoperative alternator.
Full Narrative
Shortly after departure the single-engine airplane experienced an electrical failure. The private pilot elected to return to his departure airport for landing. The pilot performed an emergency landing gear extension; however, with no electrical power remaining, he could not verify that it was down and locked via the gear position lights. Seconds after the airplane touched down to the runway, the right landing gear collapsed. Unable to maintain directional control, the airplane departed the right side of the runway and hit a runway light, before coming to rest in an upright and right wing low position alongside the runway. The airplane’s right wing spar and right aileron were substantially damaged during the accident. An examination of the right landing gear revealed that the downlock mechanism had not fully engaged, thus resulting in its collapse. In addition, the electrical failure was due to an inoperative alternator.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.