# NTSB BFO85LA014: Piper PA-24-250, N5682P, Chantilly, VA, February 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1985, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Chantilly, VA
- Location: 38.9445° N, 77.4558° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9445&lon=-77.4558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - jammed (cause)
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - jammed (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - undetermined (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE RETRACTING THE LANDING GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE GEAR HESITATED BRIEFLY AT ABOUT MIDPOINT BEFORE RETRACTING FULLY. ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE GEAR THROUGH NORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAILED. THE ACFT LANDED AT DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH THE GEAR IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION. IT WAS THE PLT'S DECISION TO LAND IN THE GRASS TO THE LEFT OF RWY 30. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GROUND CONTACT, THE ACFT IMPACTED A TWO FEET HIGH EMBANKMENT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LANDING GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS TRIPPED. RETRACTION TEST INDICATED THAT THE MAIN GEAR FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, HOWEVER EXTENSIVE DAMAGE PRECLUDED TESTING OF THE NOSE GEAR. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WHILE THE ACFT WAS TIED DOWN, ANOTHER TAXIING ACFT STRUCK ITS SPINNER AREA, NECESSITATING MAINT ATTENTION, WHICH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDED THE ACCIDENT FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5682P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5682P-1985-10-11), registration cancelled 1985-10-11, S/N 24-754 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-754
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David B. Kessler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1984, 49 hours before
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Airport: IAD, Dulles International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 600 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

## 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 19850204001939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850204001939A), Feb 4, 1985: Piper PA24250, Washington, DC, Substantial damage. Landed beside runway with gear partially extended. Gear motor circuit breaker popped. Manual gear release unengaged

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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