Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 B near Scappoose, OR — 2012-08-23

Final reportWPR12LA366
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Date
2012-08-23
Location
Scappoose, OR, USA
Airport
SPB
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30 B
Registration
N222BP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear to fully extend as a result of a failure of the landing gear transmission assembly for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the landing gear would not fully extend before landing. He attempted to extend the gear manually but was unsuccessful. The pilot decided to make a gear-up landing on the grass median next to the runway. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was a failure of the landing gear transmission assembly, which prevented the full extension of the nose landing gear. After the accident, the transmission was replaced, and the failed transmission was not retained for further testing, which precluded a determination of the reason for the failure of the landing gear to fully extend.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a go-around instead of attempting a gear up landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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