# NTSB BFO86FA023: Piper PA-28R-200, N32613, Camp Springs, MD, April 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1986, 18:13 local (23:13 UTC)
- Place: Camp Springs, MD
- Location: 38.8108° N, 76.8674° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JOINT BASE ANDREWS (ADW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8108&lon=-76.8674&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - bent (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - disabled (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A FLT TO PREPARE THE STUDENT FOR A CFI CHECK RIDE, BOTH THE STUDENT AND THE CFI COULD NOT OBTAIN A GREEN LIGHT CONFIRMING THE NOSE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO ASSURE IT WAS DOWN AND LOCKED THE ACFT WAS LANDED AT ANDREWS AFB. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED ON LANDING AND THE ACFT SLID OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. EXAMINATION REVEALED A SKEWED WEAR PATTERN DEEP WITHIN THE SLOT OF THE NOSE GEAR ALIGNER GUIDE. THE ENTIRE SLOT WAS FOUND TWISTED IN A DIRECTION CONSISTENT WITH DEFORMATION AT ITS UPPER END OF ONE OF THE GUIDE WALLS. THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE SLOT WALL WHICH CONTAINED THE DEFORMATION AT ITS UPPER END REVEALED MARKS CONSISTENT WITH SHORT TERM CONTACT WITH THE ALIGNMENT BUSHING WHICH NORMALLY RIDES WITHIN THE SLOT. IF THE BUSHING DID NOT ALIGN WITH ITS GUIDE DURING RETRACTION AND BENT ONE OF THE GUIDE WALLS IT MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO FAIL TO FULLY EXTEND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32613](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32613), registered now, S/N 28R-7535072, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535072
- Airframe hours: 4417
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Andrews Aero Club
- Registered owner: Tri-L Industries, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 6, 1986, 61 hours before
- Departed: ANP, ANNAPOLIS, MD
- Flight plan: Military VFR
- Airport: ADW, Andrews Afb, runway 19, 9,855 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 920 total, 190 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW

## 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 19860414011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860414011759A), Apr 14, 1986: Piper PA28R200, Camp Springs, MD, Substantial damage. Unable get safe nose gear light. Landed nose gear up. Aligner guide twisted jammed. Cocked nosweheel in guide.

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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