Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-24 near Hugo, OK — 2024-01-17

Final reportCEN24LA091
Sign in to save
Date
2024-01-17
Location
Hugo, OK, USA
Airport
HHW
Aircraft
PIPER PA-24
Registration
N7059P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The binding of a main landing gear push-pull cable, which rendered the landing gear inoperative in a partially retracted position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delay in executing a landing, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delay in executing a landing, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff, he retracted the landing gear but did not receive an “Up” indication. He then lowered the landing gear and noted a “Down” indication but did not receive an “Up” indication upon subsequent retraction of the landing gear a second time. The pilot elected to continue the flight with the landing gear not fully retracted. As the airplane approached its destination, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear. The circuit breaker tripped and the landing gear motor stopped. The pilot attempted to reset the circuit breaker and cycled the landing gear several times, but the breaker continued to trip and he did not receive either gear “Up” or “Down” indications. The pilot performed a flyby of the airport, and ground observers signaled to him that the landing gear was not extended. He attempted the emergency landing gear extension procedure, but the gear extension lever would not move. The pilot noted that he circled the airport for about 40 minutes while he attempting to diagnose the landing gear issues. He ultimately decided to land with the landing gear not fully extended, and he continued to perform flybys to evaluate the terrain adjacent to the runway for landing. After determining the location where he would perform the landing, the pilot conducted prelanding checks, which included selecting the fullest fuel tank based on the fuel gauge readings. While maneuvering the airplane to land, the airplane’s engine stopped producing power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane struck small trees during the landing and then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. After the accident, the push-pull cables were disconnected at the main landing gear, and the gear motor released via the emergency extension release lever, the emergency extension handle still had significant resistance to movement consistent with binding of the main landing gear push pull cables. A postaccident examination also revealed that the left tank, which the pilot reported was the tank with more fuel indicated, was empty. The right tank (which had less fuel indicated) still had about 5 gallons of fuel remaining. After the accident, the fuel selector was found turned to the left (empty) tank. Based on the available evidence, one of the main landing gear push-pull cables became bound, which locked the landing gear in a partially retracted position. Which cable was bound and the reason that the cable was bound was not determined. The loss of engine power while troubleshooting the landing gear was the result of fuel starvation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

Related mishaps