# NTSB CHI05LA109: Piper PA-31T, N2338V, Bismarck, ND, May 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 2005, 21:00 local (May 4, 2005, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Bismarck, ND - Coordinates: 46.772777, -100.745834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7728&lon=-100.7458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61431/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA109 ## Probable cause Rupture of the hydraulic powerpak drain line which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability to properly lower the landing gear despite the pilot's execution of the emergency extension procedures. A contributing factor was the runway light struck during the emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - hydraulic system,line - ruptured (cause) - fluid,hydraulic - loss,partial (cause) - Wheels up landing, emergency landing - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - runway light (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during an emergency landing when the landing gear did not extend properly. The pilot noted that when he attempted to lower the landing gear on approach to the intended destination nothing happened. He elected to divert to an airport with additional capabilities and assistance available. The pilot stated that he executed the emergency gear extension procedure, however, this procedure was not successful. The left main landing gear appeared to be fully extended, the nose landing gear was in a "dragging" condition, and the right main landing gear was retracted when observed by the tower controller prior to landing. The pilot noted that the red gear unlocked indicator light was illuminated and the green landing gear down/locked indicators were not illuminated. Since no further options were available to extend the gear, the pilot executed an emergency landing. The airplane touched down on the left main wheel which did not collapse initially. The right wing subsequently dropped and contacted the runway. The pilot applied left wheel brakes, however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway pavement and came to rest in the grass. The left main landing gear collapsed and a runway light was damaged in the process. The post-accident inspection revealed that a hydraulic powerpak drain line (Piper part number 46138-00) was ruptured. The drain line was located in the nose section of the airplane, forward of the cabin pressure bulkhead. The rupture was approximately one-half inch long. Hydraulic fluid was observed in the vicinity of the line rupture. The hydraulic reservoir was empty. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 2005, about 2100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31T, N2338V, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing on runway 21 (6,600 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS), Bismarck, North Dakota. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Jeffco Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, at 1630 with an intended destination of Bowman Municipal Airport (BPP), Bowman, North Dakota. In his written statement, the pilot noted that when he attempted to lower the landing gear on approach to BPP nothing happened. He elected to divert to BIS due to additional capabilities and assistance available there. The pilot stated that he executed the emergency gear extension procedure outlined in the pilot's operating handbook. However, this procedure was not successful. He reported that the nose landing gear was in a "dragging/trailing" position when observed through the engine cowling site mirror. He noted that the red gear unlocked indicator light was illuminated and the green landing gear down/locked indicators were not illuminated. The pilot noted that the BIS tower controller informed him that the left main landing gear appeared to be fully extended, the nose landing gear was in a "dragging" condition, and the right main landing gear was retracted. Since no further options were available to extend the gear, the pilot prepared for and executed an emergency landing. He noted that the airplane touched down on the left main wheel which did not collapse initially. The right wing subsequently dropped and contacted the runway. The pilot reported that he applied the left wheel brakes, however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway pavement and came to rest in the grass. The left main landing gear collapsed and a runway light was damaged in the process. The post-accident inspection revealed that a hydraulic powerpak drain line (Piper part number 46138-00) was ruptured. The drain line was located in the nose section of the airplane, forward of the cabin pressure bulkhead. The rupture was approximately one-half inch long. Hydraulic fluid was observed in the vicinity of the line rupture. The hydraulic reservoir was empty. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2338V (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31T - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31T-8020049 - Airframe hours: 7332 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: REMC Leasing, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 1, 2005, 50 hours before - Departed: BJC, Denver, CO - Destination: BIS, Bismark, ND - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BIS, Bismarck Muni, runway 21, 6,600 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 6,778 total, 397 in this make and model, 6,600 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIS ## 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 20050503007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050503007299A), May 3, 2005: Piper PA31T, Bismarck, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) Enroute from denver jeffco (bjc) to bowman (bpp), pilot selected gear down and gear did not extend. Pilot diverted to Bismarck (bis) for emergency… 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.