# NTSB CEN23LA274: Piper PA-24-250, N7525P, Durango, CO, July 2, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 2, 2023, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.204855, -107.86896 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2049&lon=-107.8690&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192504 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192504/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192504 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA274 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear 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) - [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) - [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) ## 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-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 he forgot to lower the landing gear before landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. He stated that he believed his noise cancelling headset contributed to not hearing the gear warning horn. He stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Following the accident, when power was applied to the airplane, the gear warning horn sounded and when the landing gear handle was moved to the down position, all three gear extended. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7525P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7525P), registered now, S/N 24-2727 (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: 24-2727 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 5003.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2022 - Departed: KCFO, Watkins, CO - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 00C, Animas Air Park, runway 19, 5,010 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 27,460 total, 183 in this make and model, 16,200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KDRO, 1 nm away - METAR: KDRO 021853Z AUTO 23005KT 10SM CLR 29/03 A3023 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE SLP141 T02890033 $ ## 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 20230702007509I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230702007509I), Jul 2, 2023: Piper PA-24-250, Durango, CO, Minor damage. On July 2, 2023, the pilot of the aircraft departed on vacation, flying from denver to Animas Air Park (00C) for the first leg of the trip. The pilot stated he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192504. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15825761&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15825688&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15825771&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.