# NTSB CHI83FA138: Piper PA-601P, N60801, Wheeling, IL, March 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1983, 18:58 local (Mar 15, 1983, 00:58 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, IL
- Coordinates: 42.129432, -87.920898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1294&lon=-87.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA138

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING AN ILS APPROACH TO RWY 16, THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO CIRCLE AND LAND ON RWY 34. AS HE TURNED FINAL, HE WAS TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND, SO HE MADE A LEFT TURN-AROUND BACK TO RWY 34. TOWER PERSONNEL TURNED THE RWY LIGHTS UP TO HELP THE PLT LOCATE THE RWY AND CLEARED HIM TO LAND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED HIS PRELANDING CHECK, AND TO THE BEST OF HIS RECOLLECTION, HE HAD EXTENDED THE GEAR AND EXTENDED 20 DEG OF FLAPS. HE DID NOT RECALL RETRACTING THE GEAR WHEN HE MADE THE 360 DEG TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WAS LANDED ON RUNWAY 34 WITH THE GEAR EITHER FULLY RETRACTED OR PARTIALLY DOWN. THE PLT STATED THAT A WHEELS UP LANDING WAS MADE WITH THE GEAR HANDLE DOWN. SCRAPE MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE, BUT NO SCRAPE MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE GEAR DOORS. WHEN THE PLANE WAS JACKED UP AND HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, ALL 3 GEAR BEGAN TO EXTEND. HOWEVER, THE GEAR MECHANISM WAS DAMAGED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60801](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60801-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 61P07448063366, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P074480633
- Airframe hours: 898
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: M. S. Millar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LIBERAL, KS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PWK, Palwaukee, runway 34, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,189 total, 246 in this make and model, 6,020 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWK

## 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 19830314009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830314009209A), Mar 14, 1983: Piper PA60601P, Wheeling, IL, Substantial damage. Forgot to check gear down for landing. Landed gear up.

## Other investigations on N60801 (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 NYC07LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA183), Aug 2, 2007: Piper Aerostar 601P (N60801), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of power in one engine during approach, due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft.

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.

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