# NTSB CHI86LA125: Piper PA-44-180, N39693, Noblesville, IN, April 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Noblesville, IN
- Coordinates: 40.059162, -85.920074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0592&lon=-85.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - disconnected (cause)

## Analysis

TWO SUCCESSFUL TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN COMPLETED DURING THE TRAINING FLIGHT. ON THE APPROACH FOR THE THIRD LANDING, THE CREW RECEIVED A THREE-GREEN INDICATION, BUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR FOLDED AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ON ITS NOSE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY BOLT WAS MISSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39693](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39693-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 44-7995025, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-7995025
- Airframe hours: 1796
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Indianapolis Aviation
- Registered owner: Burd & Kimmel Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1986, 6 hours before
- Airport: 4I8, Indianapolis Metropolitan, runway 32, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,327 total, 18 in this make and model, 2,218 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 18 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 19860422067959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860422067959A), Apr 22, 1986: Piper PA44180, Noblesville, IN, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed on landing. Investigator discovered that the nose gear assembly bolt was missing.

## Other investigations on N39693 (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 CEN19LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA142), May 16, 2019: Piper PA44 (N39693), Centralia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the nose landing gear to extend for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

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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