# NTSB CEN11CA277: Piper PA-24-260, N8546P, Kansas City, MO, March 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 29, 2011, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Kansas City, MO - Coordinates: 39.122776, -94.592781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1228&lon=-94.5928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78819/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78819 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for a landing. ## 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 used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while inbound to the airport, he had a radio failure and he set up his transponder to indicate the loss of the radio. He received a light gun signal to land and proceeded to land. The pilot reported that he could not confirm that the gear was down. Witnesses at the airport saw the gear up landing. The airplane sustained substantial fuselage damage. The airplane was recovered from the runway and the landing gear operated normally. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was on a routine flight to the destination airport. He stated that he had a radio failure and he set up his transponder to indicate the loss of the radio. He received a light gun signal to land and proceeded to land the airplane. The pilot reported that he could not confirm that the gear was down. Witnesses saw the gear up landing. The airplane sustained substantial fuselage damage. The airplane was recovered from the runway and the landing gear operated normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8546P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8546P-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 24-4003, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4003 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2011 - Departed: TOP, Topeka, KS - Destination: MKC, Kansas City, MO - Airport: MKC, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown, runway 03, 5,050 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 385 total, 18 in this make and model, 308 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: MCI ## 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 20110329006059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110329006059A), Mar 29, 2011: Piper PA-24-260, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. While enroute to Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (mkc), Kansas City, Missouri, the pilot was not able to communicate with mkc ATCT. The pilot set the… ## Other investigations on N8546P (3) 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 CEN12LA551](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA551), Aug 17, 2012: Piper PA-24-260 (N8546P), Holton, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanic's failure to adequately torque the right magneto attachment nuts, allowing the right magneto to come loose, which allowed engine oil to escape, causing the engine to seize. - [NTSB CHI07CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA008), Oct 12, 2006: Piper PA-24-260 (N8546P), Osage Beach, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in the hard landing. The gusting crosswind was a factor. - [NTSB MKC66F0069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0069), Jun 20, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N8546P), Wichita, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78819. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement - Excerpts from witness statements given to the FAA (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Excerpts%20from%20witness%20statements%20given%20to%20the%20FAA-Master.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.