# NTSB CHI87LA024: Piper PA-30, N7668Y, Minneapolis, MN, November 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1986, 19:38 local (Nov 13, 1986, 01:38 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.87989, -93.219581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8799&lon=-93.2196&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): 13691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA024

## 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
  - landing gear,nose gear - bent (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - jammed (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible
  - wheels up landing - performed

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW FOR AN HOUR TRYING TO GET THE GEAR EXTENDED, BUT WAS UNABLE. AFTER MAKING A GEAR UP LANDING, AN EXAM REVEALED THE CENTERING CAM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE NOSE GEAR WAS BENT AND BROKEN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE GEAR TO JAM AND NOT EXTEND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7668Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7668Y-1997-11-25), registration cancelled 1997-11-25, S/N 30745 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-745
- Airframe hours: 5572
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry Diambra
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1986
- Departed: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI
- Destination: MSP
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis - St Paul, runway 29R, 8,200 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,599 total, 6,703 in this make and model, 7,525 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP

## 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 19861112056039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861112056039A), Nov 12, 1986: Piper PA30, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. The pilot was unable to extend the gear and landed wheels up. The nose gear centering cam was found broken.

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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