# NTSB ATL90LA166: Piper PA-28, N3255R, Indian Trail, NC, August 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1990, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Indian Trail, NC
- Coordinates: 35.069179, -80.670845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0692&lon=-80.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA166

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO HAVE THE LANDING GEAR INSPECTED AFTER EXPERIENCING UNSAFE GEAR INDICATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - unlocked (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING SEVERAL FLIGHTS THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED LANDING GEAR INDICATOR PROBLEMS; HOWEVER, THERE HAD NOT BEEN A GEAR FAILURE. ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE PILOT AGAIN EXPERIENCED AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND AS THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OUT, THE LEFT GEAR RETRACTED AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE OVER-CENTER LOCK WAS UNLOCKED. THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THIS FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE RUNWAY CONDITION WAS DESCRIBED AS ROUGH WITH SEVERAL POTHOLES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE LANDING GEAR MAY INADVERTENTLY RETRACT DURING OPERATION ON ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3255R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3255R-1998-03-11), registration cancelled 1998-03-11, S/N 28R31252 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R31253
- Airframe hours: 3488
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hawkins, Perry
- Registered owner: Hawkins, Kenneth P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1990, 3 hours before
- Departed: EQY, MONROE, NC
- Airport: 28A, Goose Creek, runway 22, 2,350 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 56 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 30 nm away

## 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 19900827036589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900827036589A), Aug 27, 1990: Piper PA28R180, Indian Trail, NC, Substantial damage. Prior gear problems unable to find cause. Left gear unsafe light and horn. Left landing gear folded.

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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