# NTSB ATL98LA118: Piper PA-30-39, N7298Y, Greenville, NC, August 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1998, 13:28 local (17:28 UTC) - Place: Greenville, NC - Coordinates: 35.490894, -77.979476 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4909&lon=-77.9795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43772 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43772/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA118 ## Probable cause A loose wiring connection at the landing gear motor relay that prevented the electrical extension of the landing gear. ## 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 - electrical system,electric relay - electrical system,electric wiring - loose (cause) - Wheels up landing, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that at 1300, they had completed the photo mission and were returning home. When the flight was within 10 miles of the airport, the pilot initiated a letdown from 8000 feet. To facilitate the descent, the pilot elected to lowered the landing gear. When he placed the gear handle in the down position there was no response. Several attempts by the pilot to lower the landing gear, failed. Once the pilot realized that efforts to lower the landing gear were not yielding positive results, he elected to execute a gear-up landing. The airplane touched down and stopped on the runway. Emergency equipment was also available for the landing. Examination of the airplane disclosed that the landing gear motor solenoid control wire had an intermittent terminal connection under the rubber insulation boot on the solenoid. According to the maintenance manual, this condition would not allow the solenoid to close and run the landing gear motor. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1998, about 1328 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7298Y, collapsed the landing gear on touchdown at the Pitt-Greenville Airport, Greenville, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by Carolina Aerial Mapping Service, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A flight plan was not filed for the aerial photographic flight. There were no injuries to the airline transport pilot or the photographer, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Greenville, North Carolina, about 1105, on the same day. The pilot reported that at 1300, they had completed the photo mission and were returning to Greenville. When the flight was within 10 miles of the airport, the pilot initiated a descend from 8000 feet. To facilitate the descent, the pilot elected to lowered the landing gear. When he placed the landing gear handle in the down position, there was no response, and there were no indicators that confirmed that the landing gear had extended. After several attempts to lower the landing gear, the pilot rechecked the procedures by using the normal and the emergency checklist. Throughout the emergency, the pilot was in radio contact with the Fixed Base Operator (FBO). The FBO provide technical assistance to the pilot. Once the pilot realized that his efforts, to lower the landing gear, were not yielding positive results, he elected to execute a gear-up landing. The pilot established an approach for a gear-up landing on runway 07. The airplane touched down and stopped on the runway. Emergency equipment was also available for the landing. Examination of the landing gear assembly revealed that the efforts of the pilot had achieved a partial extension of the main landing gear. Further examination of the airplane disclosed that the landing gear motor solenoid control wire had an intermittent terminal connection under the rubber insulation boot on the solenoid. According to the maintenance manual, this condition would not allow the solenoid to close and run the landing gear motor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7298Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7298Y-2012-03-22), registration cancelled 2012-03-22, S/N 30-339, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-30-39 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-339 - Airframe hours: 6597 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert S. Ridgway - Registered owner: Carolina Aerial Mapping Servic - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1998, 24 hours before - Departed: PGV - Airport: PGV, Pitt-Greenville Airport, runway 7, 4,997 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 7 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 45 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 19980820028679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980820028679A), Aug 20, 1998: Piper PA30, Greenville, NC, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 20, 1998, about 1338 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7298Y, collapsed the landing gear on touchdown at the Pitt-Greenville Airport,… ## Other investigations on N7298Y (1) 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 MIA67F0120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0120), Jul 17, 1966: Piper PA-30 (N7298Y), San Juan, PR, 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.