# NTSB CHI01LA118: Piper PA-28R-180, N7576J, Saint Cloud, MN, April 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 2001, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Saint Cloud, MN - Location: 45.5462° N, 94.0594° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST CLOUD SKY CENTRAL (STC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5462&lon=-94.0594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52124/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA118 ## Probable cause The inadvertent wheels-up landing by the pilot. A factor was the pilots failure to follow the before landing checklist. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a wheels-up landing. In a written statement the pilot stated that he, "...forgot to lower [the] wheels." One item of the 'Before landing check list' says, "5. Gear - DOWN & LOCKED (150 MPH MAX)." ## Factual narrative On April 17, 2001, at 1650 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a wheels-up landing on runway 31 (5,200 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), at the Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries to himself or to his one passenger. The local flight originated at an undetermined time. In a written statement the pilot stated that he, "...forgot to lower [the] wheels." The "Before landing check list" from Section III of the Owners Handbook for the PA-28R-180 states: 1. Fuel - on proper tank 2. Electric fuel pump - ON 3. Mixture - set 4. Prop - set 5. Gear - DOWN & LOCKED (150 MPH MAX) 6. Flaps - set (125 MPH MAX) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7576J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7576J), registered now, S/N 28R-30965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30965 - Airframe hours: 3552 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Darrell U. Theisen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: STC, ST CLOUD, MN - Destination: STC, ST CLOUD, MN - Airport: STC, St Cloud Muni, runway 31, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 12, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 330 in this make and model, 548 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: STC ## 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 20010417014689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010417014689A), Apr 17, 2001: Piper PA28R180, St Cloud, MN, No damage. (-23) Landed gear up. ## Other investigations on N7576J (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 MKC72FER38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FER38), Feb 3, 1972: Piper PA-28R (N7576J), Hopkins, MN, substantial damage 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.