# NTSB CHI07CA109: Piper PA-31-350, N770C, Walker, MN, April 13, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2007, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Walker, MN - Coordinates: 47.158332, -94.64611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1583&lon=-94.6461&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65703/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent failure to lower the landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear - not deployed, pilot in command (cause) - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during an inadvertent wheels-up landing. The pilot stated that he entered a left downwind for runway 32 (2,803 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the intended destination airport. He reported that he lowered the landing gear and completed the before landing checklist. He noted: "All indications showed that [the landing] gear was down." He reported that during the landing flare, he "felt and heard metal grinding on the runway," and immediately executed a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane exhibited a right rolling tendency. Although, the pilot was able to maintain control, he was unable to avoid striking trees during the climb out. He subsequently noticed that the flaps were still down and raised them. The pilot returned to the airport for another landing attempt. He stated: "I lined up for a short final with my gear showing down and locked, flaps set to approach setting and power at almost [maximum]. I was able to land the aircraft and taxi to the ramp without further incident, where I parked and shut down." During the post accident inspection, the landing gear was observed in the down and locked position. Visual inspection of the landing gear did not reveal any anomalies. Three green landing gear position indicator lights were illuminated when the airplane was powered up during the inspection. ## Factual narrative The airplane sustained substantial damage during an inadvertent wheels-up landing. The pilot stated that he entered a left downwind for runway 32 (2,803 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the intended destination airport. He reported that he lowered the landing gear and completed the before landing checklist. He noted: "All indications showed that [the landing] gear was down." He reported that during the landing flare, he "felt and heard metal grinding on the runway," and immediately executed a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane exhibited a right rolling tendency. Although, the pilot was able to maintain control, he was unable to avoid striking trees during the climb out. He subsequently noticed that the flaps were still down and raised them. The pilot returned to the airport for another landing attempt. He stated: "I lined up for a short final with my gear showing down and locked, flaps set to approach setting and power at almost [maximum]. I was able to land the aircraft and taxi to the ramp without further incident, where I parked and shut down." During the post accident inspection, the landing gear was observed in the down and locked position. Visual inspection of the landing gear did not reveal any anomalies. Three green landing gear position indicator lights were illuminated when the airplane was powered up during the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N770C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N770C-2016-08-23), registration cancelled 2016-08-23, S/N 31-7552016, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-755-2016 - Airframe hours: 10197 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: White Hawk Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006 - Departed: FAR, Fargo, ND - Destination: Y49, Walker, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; flight hours: 5,272 total, 404 in this make and model, 5,160 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: PKD ## 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 20070413007879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070413007879A), Apr 13, 2007: Piper PA31350, Walker, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot attempted to land without lowering the landing gear. The aircraft touched down and incurred impact damage to the following components: both… 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.