# NTSB ATL95LA117: Piper PA-24-250, N7392P, Columbia, SC, June 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1995, 10:29 local (14:29 UTC) - Place: Columbia, SC - Location: 33.9388° N, 81.1195° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COLUMBIA METRO (CAE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9388&lon=-81.1195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3578/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA117 ## Probable cause THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE NOSE GEAR CENTERING TRACK AND ROLLER ASSEMBLIES WHICH PRECLUDED LANDING GEAR EXTENSION. ## 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,normal retraction/extension assembly - malfunction (cause) - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR UP LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTION AND EXTENSION SYSTEM FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MATERIAL FAILURE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR DISCLOSED THAT THE ROLLER ALIGNER ASSEMBLY WAS DISPLACED OUTSIDE OF THE CENTERING TRACK, AND THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL AT AN ANGLE. NO NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY COMPONENT SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR OR FRACTURES. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1995, at 1029 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24- 250, N7392P, landed with the landing gear up after several low passes and attempts to lower the landing gear at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Winnsboro, South Carolina, at 0945 hours. Upon arriving at Columbia, the pilot discovered that the landing gear would not extend. After several attempts to lower the landing gear, the pilot elected to make a gear up landing. The airplane touched down and skidded 200 feet to a stop. The local fixed base operator recovered the airplane, and parked it on the ramp. An examination of the landing gear system, disclosed that the nose gear roller aligner assembly was positioned outside of the nose gear centering track. This position allowed the nose gear to retract into the wheel well at an angle. The examination of the nose gear retraction and extension assemblies failed to disclose a material failure. The exact means by which the misalignment occurred was not determined. The Pilot failed to complete and return NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Report)as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7392P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7392P), registered now, S/N 24-2576, built 1961 (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: 24-2576 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Samuel M. Goodwin - Registered owner: Sandee L. Cox - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FDW, WINNSBORO, SC - Destination: CAE - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CAE, Columbia Metro Airport, runway 5, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 15 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAE ## 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 19950604045449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950604045449A), Jun 4, 1995: Piper PA24250, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Unable extend gear for landing. Landed gear up. Nose gear aligner roller off track. Gear retracked wheel at angle. ## Other investigations on N7392P (2) 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. - [NTSB MIA70DKT25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70DKT25), Jun 3, 1970: Piper PA-24 (N7392P), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC67D0188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0188), Jun 25, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N7392P), Wichita, KS, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.