# NTSB CEN14LA474: Piper PA 28RT-201T, N2148J, Houston, TX, July 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2014, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.597778, -95.164169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5978&lon=-95.1642&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 23, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 90008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA474 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90008/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90008 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA474 ## Probable cause The landing gear’s failure to extend for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on a visual departure, the pilot noted that the red landing gear unsafe light was illuminated after he retracted the landing gear. The pilot attempted to extend the landing gear using emergency extension procedures, but the green right main landing gear light did not illuminate. The pilot contacted a tower air traffic controller at an en route airport to request a visual report on the landing gear. The tower controller reported that the landing gear appeared to be down. The pilot then proceeded to the destination airport to land. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. Following the accident, a mechanic replaced the landing gear hydraulic pump, solenoids, and springs. After these components were replaced, the landing gear operated normally during ground testing. The maintenance actions were performed before investigators examined the landing gear. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2014, about 1830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T airplane, N2148J, was substantially damaged during landing rollout at Ellington Airport (EFD), Houston, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight, which departed without a flight plan from La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas about 1715. While departing from T41, the pilot noted the landing gear unsafe light (red) was illuminated after retracting the landing gear. After extending the landing gear using emergency extension procedures, the right main landing gear light (green) did not illuminate. The pilot accomplished a low approach and received a visual report of his landing gear condition from tower personnel at Scholes Airport (GLS), Galveston, Texas, who informed him the landing gear appeared to be down. The pilot proceeded from GLS to EFD for landing. During rollout at EFD, the right main landing gear collapsed, damaging the right aileron. Following the accident, a mechanic replaced the landing gear hydraulic pump, solenoids, and springs. After these components were replaced, the landing gear operated normally during ground testing. These maintenance actions were performed without the awareness or approval of the Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducting the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2148J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2148J-2024-02-03), registration cancelled 2024-02-03, S/N 28R-7931012, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28RT-201T - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7931012 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3687 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stockstill Frank T - Registered owner: Stockstill Frank T - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2013 - Departed: T41, La Porte, TX - Destination: KELD, Houston, TX - Airport: KELD, Ellington Airport, runway 17R, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 227 total, 158 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KEFD ## 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 20140727012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140727012939A), Jul 27, 2014: Piper PA-28RT-201T, Clear Lake, TX, Minor damage. On a personal flight from T41 to gls pilot experienced a gear malfunction light. Pilot completed emergency checklist with a negative outcome. Pilot conducted a… ## Other investigations on N2148J (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 CEN22LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA227), May 29, 2022: Piper PA-28RT-201T (N2148J), Morgan, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to a corrosion-related fatigue crack of the No. 3 cylinder barrel. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90008. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420850&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.