# NTSB CHI86LA228: Piper PA-31-310, N707HB, St. Paul, MN, September 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1986, 19:58 local (Sep 18, 1986, 00:58 UTC)
- Place: St. Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.949348, -93.089942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9493&lon=-93.0899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA228

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - fluid,hydraulic - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inattentive, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,hydraulic - leak (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF AN UNEVENTFUL FLIGHT THE PILOT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR AND NOTED THREE GEAR DOWN INDICATOR LIGHTS. UPON LANDING ROLLOUT THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT A HYDRAULIC LEAK WAS PRESENT NEAR THE HYDRAULIC POWER PACK. THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR (WHICH NORMALLY HOLDS 54 OZ OF FLUID) WAS REFILLED WITH 42 OZ OF FLUID. THERE IS NO HYDRAULIC FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR IN THE COCKPIT OF THIS AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N707HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707HB-2019-07-19), registration cancelled 2019-07-19, S/N 31-40, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (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: 31-40
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-A1A 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Northland Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tarnowski Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1986
- Departed: ABR, ABERDEEN, SD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis/St. Paul Intl, runway 11R, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,736 total, 250 in this make and model, 5,612 as pilot in command, 167 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 1 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 19860917047059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860917047059A), Sep 17, 1986: Piper PA31310, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. The nose gear collapsed on landing. A leak in the hydraulic system was noted with no other mechanical malfunctions.

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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