# NTSB CHI03LA032: Piper PA-34-200, N15723, Jeffersonville, IN, December 1, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 2002, 11:38 local (16:38 UTC) - Place: Jeffersonville, IN - Coordinates: 38.365001, -85.738334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3650&lon=-85.7383&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56164/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA032 ## Probable cause The mechanical binding of the left main landing gear, which resulted in the left main landing gear not fully extending to the down-and-locked position. Factors to the accident were the oleo-strut linkage being corroded and the contamination of the gear position switches. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (cause) - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause) - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - corroded (contributing factor) - landing gear,gear indicating system - contamination (contributing factor) ## Analysis The main landing gear collapsed during landing rollout. The pilot reported that when he selected 'gear down' the in-transit light illuminated and when the landing gear had extended the three landing gear position lights illuminated. The pilot reported the in-transit light did not remain illuminated after the landing gear had extended. The pilot stated there was "no gear warning indication or horn sounding." The pilot reported a normal landing was made and prior to the first taxiway both main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated when the main landing gear collapsed the in-transit light illuminated and landing gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported the three landing gear position lights remained illuminated after the aircraft came to rest. The airplane was elevated for an operational test of the landing gear. During normal gear extension the nose and right main landing gear extended as designed. The left main landing gear extended approximately 3/4 down before becoming mechanically bound. The nose and right main landing gear position lights illuminated. The left main landing gear position light did not illuminate. The left main landing gear could be forced into the down-and-locked position and the gear position light would illuminate. The linkage between the left oleo strut assembly and the gear was corroded and dirt was present on the landing gear position switches. The linkage was disconnected and the left main landing gear moved freely. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 2002, at 1138 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N15723, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed while landing on runway 18 (5,500 feet by 100 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Clark County Airport (JVY), Jeffersonville, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight departed the Bowman Field Airport (LOU), Louisville, Kentucky, at 1045. According to the pilot's written statement, when he selected 'gear down' the in-transit light illuminated and when the landing gear had extended the three landing gear position lights illuminated. The pilot reported the in-transit light did not remain illuminated after the landing gear had extended. The pilot stated there was "no gear warning indication or horn sounding." The pilot reported a normal landing was made and prior to the first taxiway both main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated when the main landing gear collapsed the in-transit light illuminated and landing gear warning horn sounded. The aircraft came to rest at the intersection of runways 18 and 32. The pilot reported the three landing gear position lights remained illuminated after the aircraft came to rest. The airplane was elevated for an operational test of the landing gear. During normal gear extension the nose and right main landing gear extended as designed. The left main landing gear extended approximately 3/4 down before becoming mechanically bound. The nose and right main landing gear position lights illuminated. The left main landing gear position light did not illuminate. The left main landing gear could be forced into the down-and-locked position and the gear position light would illuminate. The linkage between the left oleo strut assembly and the gear was corroded and dirt was present on the landing gear position switches. The linkage was disconnected and the left main landing gear moved freely. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15723](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15723-2018-08-24), registration cancelled 2018-08-24, S/N 34-7350136, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350136 - Airframe hours: 7177 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Russell Edward Sloan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 2002, 60 hours before - Departed: LOU, Louisville, KY - Destination: JVY, Jeffersonville, IN - Airport: JVY, Clark County Airport, runway 18, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 23, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 834 total, 515 in this make and model, 743 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 9 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 20021201035609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021201035609A), Dec 1, 2002: Piper PA34200, Jeffersonville, IN, Minor damage. (-23) On 01, December 2002 at approximately 1600Z, Piper model PA-34-200 (seneca), serial number 34-7350136, registration number N15723, VFR departed bowman… 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.