# NTSB CEN11CA185: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2878N, Danville, IN, February 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2011, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Danville, IN - Coordinates: 39.746665, -86.47528 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7467&lon=-86.4753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78349/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78349 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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 not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a 180-degree power-off approach and landing. He did not extend the landing gear and landed with the gear in the retracted position. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing a 180-degree power off approach and landing. He did not extend the landing gear and landed with the gear in the up position. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted the runway. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2878N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2878N), registered now, S/N 28R-7918194 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7918194 - Airframe hours: 9290 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2011 - Departed: 2R2, Danville, IN - Destination: 2R2, Danville, IN - Airport: 2R2, Hendricks County-Gordon Graham, runway 36, 4,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 459 total, 267 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: EYE ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20110214004199I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110214004199I), Feb 14, 2011: Piper PA-28RT-201, Danville, IN, Minor damage. On the evening of February 14, 2011, at approximately 1715 local time, [privacy data omitted] landed gear up while flying his PA-28-RT-201 into Hendricks… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78349. 762 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 762 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.