# NTSB CHI86LA187: Piper PA-31T1, N2317V, Charlevoix, MI, July 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1986, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Charlevoix, MI
- Location: 45.3049° N, 85.2753° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHARLEVOIX MUNI (CVX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3049&lon=-85.2753&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA187

## 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
  - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT,ON THEIR FIRST APPROACH THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE THE AIRPORT AT 1300 FEET, SO THEY RAISED THE GEAR AND FLAPS AND CLIMBED TO 1800 FEET, AT WHICH TIME THEY SAW THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A VFR LANDING ON RUNWAY 26 AND FORGOT THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY RAISED HIS GEAR AND MADE A GEAR UP LANDING. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTES HIS FORGETTING THE GEAR, TO BEING DISTRACTED BY THE COPILOT AND ALSO BECAUSE OF THE LAST MINUTE DECISION TO LAND ON RUNWAY 26.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2317V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T8004021
- Engines: P&W PT6 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Calco Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Destination: CVX, CHARLEVOIX, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CVX, Charlevoix, runway 26, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,458 total, 1,151 in this make and model, 5,458 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 28 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 19860725038439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860725038439A), Jul 25, 1986: Piper PA31T1, Charlevoix, MI, Substantial damage. Raised gear for missed approach. Spotted runway and failed to extend the gear. Landed gear up.

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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