# NTSB CHI89LA176: Piper PA-23-160, N8886, Eau Claire, WI, August 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1989, 14:04 local (19:04 UTC)
- Place: Eau Claire, WI
- Coordinates: 44.820636, -91.490486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8206&lon=-91.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA176

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT RETRACTION OF THE LANDING GEAR BY THE PILOT.  HIS HABIT INTERFERENCE AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - touch-and-go
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS INTENTION WAS TO PERFORM A TOUCH-AND-GO. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER A SUCCESSFUL LANDING, HE 'RAISED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE FLAP CONTROL LEVER WITHOUT LOOKING DOWN . . . I REALIZED THAT I INADVERTENTLY RAISED THE GEAR CONTROL LEVER INSTEAD . . .'  THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP ON THE GRASS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WITH THE LANDING GEAR UP. THE PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 1,193 HOURS, OF WHICH 4 HOURS WERE IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND HABITS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN AIRCRAFT WITH A DIFFERENT FLAP/GEAR HANDLE CONFIGURATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8886](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8886-2015-05-07), registration cancelled 2015-05-07, S/N 23-1171, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1171
- Airframe hours: 4406
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Virgil L. Barnes
- Registered owner: Barnes, Virgil L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 1989, 54 hours before
- Departed: ANE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: EAU
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EAU, Eau Claire County, runway 32, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,193 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,052 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU

## 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 19890827035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890827035289A), Aug 27, 1989: Piper PA23160, Eau Claire, WI, Substantial damage. Raised landing gear by mistake instead of flaps on a touch and go landing. Slid off runway on aircrafts belly.

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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