# NTSB CEN09CA169: Piper PA-24-250, N5451P, Mineral Wells, TX, February 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 2, 2009, 18:50 local (Feb 3, 2009, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Mineral Wells, TX - Coordinates: 32.781665, -98.060279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7817&lon=-98.0603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73364 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73364/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA169 ## Probable cause The failure of the airframe and power plant mechanic to ensure proper lubrication of wire cables in the landing gear system during the annual inspection which precluded safe operation of the landing gear system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis While departing the airport, the airplane's landing gear system failed to fully retract when actuated by the private pilot. Several attempts were made by the pilot to fully lower the landing gear, including the use of the "emergency landing gear system." The pilot elected to return to the airport and land in the grass parallel to the runway. During the landing the airplane's firewall was damaged. An inspection conducted on the airplane revealed that the wire cables which operate the landing gear were insufficiently lubricated during the previous annual inspection which was accomplished 18 days prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On initial climb the airplane's landing gear failed to fully retract. Several attempts made by the pilot to lower the landing gear, including the use of the emergency landing gear system, were unsuccessful. The pilot returned to the airport and land in the grass parallel to the runway. Without properly configured gear, the airplane's firewall was damaged during the landing. Responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors discovered the wire cables which operate the landing gear were insufficiently lubricated during the previous annual inspection which was accomplished 18 days prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5451P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5451P), registered now, S/N 24-506 (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: 24-506 - Airframe hours: 4803 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2009 - Departed: MWL, Mineral Wells, TX - Destination: MWL, Mineral Wells, TX - Airport: MWL, Mineral Wells Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 18, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 700 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: MWL ## 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 20090202000939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090202000939A), Feb 2, 2009: Piper PA24250, Mineral Wells, TX, Substantial damage. Private pilot [privacy data omitted] was the pilot of a Piper comanche N5451P when it departed Mineral Wells Airport (mwl) on February 2, 2009 at approximately… ## Other investigations on N5451P (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 NYC73FHM19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FHM19), Dec 29, 1972: Piper PA-24 (N5451P), Spring Valley, NY, no 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.