# NTSB CHI88LA022: Piper PA-30B, N7865Y, Decatur, IL, November 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1987, 18:15 local (Nov 10, 1987, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IL
- Coordinates: 39.829433, -89.050903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8294&lon=-89.0509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LANDING WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PERCEIVED THE YELLOW LIGHT INDICATION FOR THE LANDING GEAR TO MEAN 'DOWN', INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR A GREEN LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7865Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7865Y), registered now, S/N 30-948, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-948
- Airframe hours: 5636
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen G. Graliker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1987, 16 hours before
- Departed: SPI, SPRINGFIELD, IL
- Airport: DEC, Decatur, runway 36, 5,300 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,295 total, 242 in this make and model, 3,175 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC

## 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 19871109063489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871109063489A), Nov 9, 1987: Piper PA30, Decatur, IL, Substantial damage. Experienced a landing with the landing gear retracted. Resulted in substantial damage to aircraft. Pilot error.

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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