# NTSB ATL85LA268: Piper PA-24-250, N7991P, Florence, SC, September 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1985, 20:07 local (Sep 4, 1985, 00:07 UTC)
- Place: Florence, SC
- Coordinates: 34.179321, -79.779144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1793&lon=-79.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA268

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,nose gear - movement restricted
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - door,landing gear - loose
  - maintenance,alignment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR & PERFORMED A GEAR-UP LANDING. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR DOOR WAS RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE LANDING GEAR DUE TO IMPROPER REPAIR OF THE LANDING GEAR DOOR ATTACHMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7991P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7991P-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N 24-3230, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3230
- Airframe hours: 1833
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alexander M. Wilkerson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 14, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Destination: FLO, FLORENCE, SC
- Airport: FLO, Florence City, runway 18, 6,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,188 total, 48 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO

## 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 19850903047239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850903047239A), Sep 3, 1985: Piper PA24250, Florence, SC, Substantial damage. Unable to extend gear for landing. Nose gear door moved out of sequence due to flexing as the gear moved.

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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