# NTSB CEN09CA119: Piper Aerostar 6, N3640D, Middletown, OH, November 21, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 21, 2008, 13:34 local (18:34 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, OH
- Coordinates: 39.531665, -84.396385
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5317&lon=-84.3964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA119

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to verify that the landing gear was down and locked prior to landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: landing gear selector](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after an uneventful flight, he entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport. He extended the landing gear as the airplane was crossing mid-field on downwind for runway 23 (6,100 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). There was a right quartering headwind for landing. The pilot noted that he was focused on maintaining airspeed and establishing the proper crosswind landing attitude. As a result, he failed to check the landing gear position lights in order to verify that the gear was down and locked. After landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane skidded to the left and came to rest in the grassy area adjacent to the runway. The pilot noted that the cockpit landing gear lever provided resistance although it was not fully in the down position. He added that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that after an uneventful flight, he entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport. He extended the landing gear as the airplane was crossing mid-field on downwind for runway 23 (6,100 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). There was a right quartering headwind for landing. The pilot noted he was focused on maintaining airspeed and establishing the proper crosswind landing attitude. As a result, he failed to check the landing gear position lights in order to verify that the gear was down and locked. After landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane skidded to the left and came to rest in the grass area adjacent to the runway. The pilot noted the cockpit landing gear lever provided resistance although it was not fully in the down position. He added that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3640D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 6
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P08098063419
- Airframe hours: 1696
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 2008
- Departed: MRH, Beaufort, NC
- Destination: MWO, Middletown, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MWO, Hook Field Municipal, runway 23, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total, 180 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.47 inHg
- Observed at: MWO

## 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 20081121854789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081121854789A), Nov 21, 2008: Piper PA60601P, Middletown, OH, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he thought the gear was down but accepts responsibility for failure to assure the gear was down and locked.

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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