# NTSB ANC82IA103: Piper PA31-350, N61366, Kenai, AK, September 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1982, 08:36 local (12:36 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.660419, -150.900451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6604&lon=-150.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82IA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82IA103

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - hydraulic system,line - burst (cause)
  - fluid,hydraulic - loss,total (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE COMMUTER FLIGHT DEPARTED KENAI, DESTINED FOR ANCHORAGE AK. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON APPROACH HE COULD NOT OBTAIN A POSITIVE GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATION ON THE NOSE GEAR. THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO KENAI AIRPORT DUE TO WEATHER AT ANCHORAGE. UPON LANDING THE NOSEWHEEL RETRACTED. EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR REVEALED THAT A STAINLESS STEEL FLEXIBLE LINE ENCLOSED IN A PROTECTIVE RUBBER CASING WAS CHAFED BY A BOLT IN THE NOSE GEAR SCISSORS ASSEMBLY. THE STAINLESS STEEL EXTERIOR MESH WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND GAVE NO SUPPORT TO THE INTERNAL PRESSURE LINE, THEREBY ALLOWING THE LINE TO BURST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N61366 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7552108
- Airframe hours: 6868
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Southcentral Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Southcentral Air Inc.
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ENA, Kenai Airport, runway 19, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,525 in this make and model, 3,750 as pilot in command, 320 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 104 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19820930058329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820930058329I), Sep 30, 1982: Piper PA31350, Kenai, AK, Minor damage. Hydraulic gear problem. Unable to lock down nose gear which collapsed on landing. Hydraulic line blew loose.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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