Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-28R-201 near Rantoul, IL — 2011-06-25

Final reportCEN11LA418
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Date
2011-06-25
Location
Rantoul, IL, USA
Airport
KTIP
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201
Registration
N4106Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot did not use the emergency landing gear extension system, which resulted in a wheels-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the inoperative landing gear power pack motor.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the landing gear did not fully retract after takeoff. He elected to return to the departure airport for a wheels-up landing after several unsuccessful attempts to retract the landing gear. The pilot did not use the emergency extension system after noticing that the green landing gear position lights were not illuminated. A postaccident examination revealed that the main landing gear were extended about 1-foot below their respective wheel wells. The nose landing gear was fully retracted into its respective wheel well and its gear doors were closed. Further examination revealed that the electrical motor for the landing gear power pack did not function due to excessive brush wear. The landing gear extended properly using the emergency extension system during a postaccident test.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have used emergency extension system after gear failed to retract.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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