# NTSB ATL84LA035: Piper PA-23-250, N40249, Greer, SC, November 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1983, 10:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Greer, SC
- Coordinates: 34.930435, -82.230613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9304&lon=-82.2306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - hydraulic system,line - chafed (cause)
  - fluid,hydraulic - leak (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - inoperative
  - gear down and locked - not possible
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING THE FLT, HYDRAULIC FAILURE OF THE LANDING SYS OCCURRED & THE AIRCREW WERE UNABLE TO GET THE GEAR LOCKED IN THE DOWN POSITION. AFTER ORBITING FOR OVER AN HOUR, A LANDING WAS MADE. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT AN AILERON BALANCE CABLE HAD CHAFED AGAINST A HYDRAULIC LINE IN THE LANDING GEAR SYS UNTIL A HOLE WAS WORN THRU THE LINE. THIS ALLOWED THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40249](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40249-2022-06-04), registration cancelled 2022-06-04, S/N 27-7305055, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7305055
- Airframe hours: 3324
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cornerstone Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1982, 47 hours before
- Departed: GMU, GREENVILLE, SC
- Airport: GSP, Greenville-Spartanburg, runway 3, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 871 total, 20 in this make and model, 97 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP

## 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 19831101057679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831101057679A), Nov 1, 1983: Piper PA23250, Greer, SC, Substantial damage. Aileron balance cable wore a hole in hydraulic line making it impossible to lower gear normally. Gear collapsed.

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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