What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On March 19, 2014 at approximately 1732 MDT N3398M (PA-28R) departed Sierra Blanca Regional (srr), Ruidoso NM on runway 30. Upon departing the pilot reported that the landing gear would not retract and a decision was made to return to runway 6. While attempting to return the pilot reported that aircraft began to lose altitude and he elected to land in a field, approximately 1/4 mile north of the airport. During the landing, the aircraft struck a tree damaging the left wing and collapsed the right landing gear and nose gear.
As the FAA filed it
ON MARCH 19, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1732 MDT N3398M (PA-28R) DEPARTED SIERRA BLANCA REGIONAL (SRR), RUIDOSO NM ON RUNWAY 30. UPON DEPARTING THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT AND A DECISION WAS MADE TO RETURN TO RUNWAY 6. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD, APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE DAMAGING THE LEFT WING AND COLLAPSED THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND NOSE GEAR.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.
Other reports on N3398M · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.