# NTSB ATL88LA164: Piper PA-31-325, N34GK, Wilkesboro, NC, May 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1988, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Wilkesboro, NC
- Coordinates: 36.139663, -81.160942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1397&lon=-81.1609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - unlocked (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - performed, other maintenance personnel
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - performed, other maintenance personnel
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not possible (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

AFTER A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SLOWLY COLLAPSED DURING THE ROLL OUT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, STRUCK A SIGN OFF THE RUNWAY EDGE AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS FOUND UNLOCKED DURING POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. THE AIRCRAFT HAD UNDERGONE MAINTENANCE A SHORT TIME BEFORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34GK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34GK-1989-07-15), registration cancelled 1989-07-15, S/N 317712049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31 7712049
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Aviation Company, Inc.
- Registered owner: Golden Aviaton Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 1988, 19 hours before
- Departed: LBT, LUMBERTON, NC
- Destination: 1KB, WILKESBORO, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 1KB, Wilkes County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,832 total, 1,305 in this make and model, 2,854 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY

## 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 19880503012709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880503012709A), May 3, 1988: Piper PA31325, Wilkesboro, NC, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed on landing struck a sign and a ditch off side of runway. Landing gear recently repaired.

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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