# NTSB CHI88LA137: Piper PA-24-250, N8226P, Mattoon, IL, June 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1988, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mattoon, IL
- Coordinates: 39.4706, -88.360435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4706&lon=-88.3604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - erratic (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON RETURN FROM A LOCAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLIGHT, THE PILOT FAILED TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED, DOWN AND LOCKED.  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN, THE GEAR WAS ONLY EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 10%; IT COLLAPSED FULLY WHEN IT CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP ON ITS BELLY. THE PAX STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE GEAR WAS STILL IN THE UP POSITION ON SHORT FINAL AND THE PILOT LOWERED THE GEAR HANDLE ONLY WHEN THE PAX QUERIED HIM. POST-ACCIDENT GEAR ACTUATION REVEALED THAT THE GEAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, THE GEAR WARNING HORN WAS ERRATIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8226P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8226P-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 24-3479, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3479
- Airframe hours: 3833
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nims Associates, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987
- Airport: MTO, Mattoon, runway 6, 5,799 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 100 in this make and model, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 35 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 19880616022099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880616022099A), Jun 16, 1988: Piper PA24250, Mattoon Charles, IL, Substantial damage. Passenger told pilot gear not down. Put gear down too late. Touched down with gear only 10 percent extended.

## Other investigations on N8226P (2)

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 MIA89LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA045), Nov 28, 1988: Piper PA-24-250 (N8226P), Crestview, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI69F0519](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0519), Mar 2, 1969: Piper PA-24 (N8226P), Mt Pleasant, MI, substantial damage

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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