# NTSB ATL82DA156: Piper PA-23-250, N1AU, Auburn, AL, June 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1982, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, AL
- Coordinates: 32.589195, -85.480506 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5892&lon=-85.4805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - performed, other maintenance personnel
  - landing gear,wheel - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - jammed (cause)
  - propeller feathering - premature, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A DOWNWIND FOR A LANDING IN MULTI-ENGINE TRAINING, THE NOSE GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND. ALL EFFORTS TO EXTEND THE NOSE GEAR, INCLUDING A BOUNCED LANDING, WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRCREW INTENDED TO LAND ON THE MAIN GEAR AND THEN HOLD THE NOSE OFF UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED. THE MULTI-ENGINE INSTRUCTOR (IP), WHO OCCUPIED THE RIGHT SEAT, ESTABLISHED THE AIRCRAFT ON A STRAIGHT-IN FINAL APPROACH WITH 1/2 FLAPS AND ZERO THRUST (10 IN HG) ON BOTH ENGINES. WHILE STILL AIRBORNE, THE IP COMMANDED THE STUDENT (A SINGLE-ENGINE IP) TO FEATHER BOTH PROPELLERS AND SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGINES. IMMEDIATELY THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED AND THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON AN EMBANKMENT ABOUT 45 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PLANE BOUNCED, AND AFTER A SECOND TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE CONTACTED THE RUNWAY ABOUT 55 FT BEYOND THE TOUCHDOWN POINT AND WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A ROCKING NUT WHICH RETAINED THE NOSEWHEEL, WAS MISSING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD UNDERGONE A 100 HR INSPECTION ABOUT 8 HOURS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1AU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3586
- Airframe hours: 4354
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Auburn University Aviation
- Registered owner: Auburn University Aviation
- Departed: AUO, AUBURN, AL
- Destination: AUO, AUBURN, AL
- Airport: AUO, Robert G. Pitts, runway 36, 3,945 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,825 total, 821 in this make and model, 2,689 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 180 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19820605020679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820605020679A), Jun 5, 1982: Piper PA23250, Auburn, AL, Substantial damage. Unable to extend nose gear. Undershot runway on emergency landing due to feathered props. Wheel lock nut missing.

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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