# NTSB CEN23LA253: Piper PA-24-250, N6886P, Watkins, CO, June 10, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 10, 2023, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Watkins, CO - Coordinates: 39.793656, -104.54977 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7937&lon=-104.5498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192424/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192424 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA253 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to utilize the prelanding checklist to ensure the landing gear was extended before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-24-250, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); 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 The pilot reported that shortly before touchdown he noticed the landing gear selector still in the up position. The pilot moved the selector to the down position, but the landing gear were unable to fully extend before touchdown. The bottom of the fuselage was substantially damage during the wheels-up landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported he did not use a prelanding checklist to ensure that the landing was extended before touchdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6886P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6886P), registered now, S/N 24-2022, built 1960 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2022 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 4510 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2023, 1 hours before - Departed: CFO, Watkins, CO - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CFO, Colorado Air and Spaceport, runway 8, 8,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 13, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 704 total, 122 in this make and model, 510 as pilot in command, 4.6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KCFO - METAR: METAR KCFO 101747Z 07006KT 10SM SKC 22/09 A3004= ## 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 20230610009679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230610009679A), Jun 10, 2023: Piper PA-24-250, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot was conducting touch and goes. On 4th iteration pilot noticed gear was retracted on short and final. Pilot attempted to lower gear but was unable to in… ## Other investigations on N6886P (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 CHI72FCA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FCA01), Oct 3, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N6886P), E St Louis, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192424. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15862374&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=accident%20report_000053_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15862613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.