# NTSB CEN19LA142: Piper PA44, N39693, Centralia, IL, May 16, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 15, 2019, 19:15 local (May 16, 2019, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Centralia, IL - Coordinates: 38.514999, -89.09111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5150&lon=-89.0911&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99433 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99433/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99433 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA142 ## Probable cause The failure of the nose landing gear to extend for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7104402), [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-44-180, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis While performing the Before Landing checklist following an instructional flight in the multiengine airplane, the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction noticed that the nose landing gear light did not illuminate when the gear was extended, and the nose gear appeared only partially extended. The pilots performed the emergency gear extension procedure, which was unsuccessful, and subsequently attempted maneuvers to extend the gear; however, the nose gear would not extend. The pilots returned to the airport and landed in the soft, wet grass next to the runway, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. Postaccident examination of the nose landing gear system and emergency gear extension system did not reveal any anomalies that could have resulted in the failure of the nose gear to extend; however, a detailed examination of the system was not possible due to the extent of the impact damage. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2019, about 1915 central daylight time, a Piper PA44-180, N39693, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Centralia, Illinois. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. After about 2 hours of uneventful flight, the pilots were returning to the airport for landing. While performing the Before Landing checklist, the instructor and pilot receiving instruction noticed that the nose landing gear light did not illuminate. Utilizing the landing gear mirror, the instructor could see that the landing gear door was open, but he could only see the nose landing gear tire partially extended. They flew the airplane to a nearby practice area and the pilots performed the inoperative landing gear checklist. The instructor attempted to extend the gear with the emergency extension system, but the nose gear did not extend. The instructor then attempted maneuvers to extend the nose landing gear; however, the gear did not extend. The pilots returned to the airport and landed in a grassy area parallel to the runway. Upon touchdown, the nose dug into the soft, wet ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. Postaccident examination of the nose landing gear system and emergency gear extension system did not reveal any anomalies that could have resulted in the failure of the nose gear to extend; however, a detailed examination of the system was not possible due to the extent of the impact damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39693](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39693-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 44-7995025, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA44 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995025 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 7429.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airgo Inc - Registered owner: Airgo Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2019 - Departed: ENL, Centralia, IL - Destination: ENL, Centralia, IL - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: ENL, Centralia Municipal Airport, runway 09, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 37; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 24, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 511 total, 233 in this make and model, 363 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 269 total, 6 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Turbulence: Severe - Observed at: ENL, 1 nm away ## 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 20190515006519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190515006519A), May 15, 2019: Piper PA-44-180, Centralia, IL, Destroyed. Instructor pilot (ip) and student (st) were conducting landing practice by utilizing touch and go landings. On the seventh downwind the student attempted to… ## Other investigations on N39693 (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 CHI86LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA125), Apr 22, 1986: Piper PA-44-180 (N39693), Noblesville, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99433. 8.2 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 CFI CEN19LA142 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11668164&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20CFI%20CEN19LA142_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB form 6120 student under instruction CEN19LA142 (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11668174&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Student%20Under%20Instruction%20CEN19LA142_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record landing gear examination findings CEN19LA142 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11668253&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Landing%20Gear%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN19LA142_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN19LA142 (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11667755&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN19LA142-Rel.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.