# NTSB CHI90LA141: Piper PA-31-350, N62869, Plainfield, IL, May 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1990, 21:25 local (May 30, 1990, 02:25 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.609035, -88.200836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6090&lon=-88.2008&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 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA141

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSURE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - erratic (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED FROM HIS NORMAL PROCEDURES/CHECKLISTS, WHILE IN THE VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN AT AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT, AND THAT HE FAILED TO INSURE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND LOCKED BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED WITH MAKING A DECENT LANDING FROM A 'STEEPER-THAN-NORMAL' APPROACH AT AN UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. HE HAD MOVED THE GEAR SELECT HANDLE DOWN, BUT NOT FAR ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE GEAR EXTEND MECHANISM. HE STATED THAT HE NEVER LOOKED FOR THREE GREEN LIGHTS (TO VERIFY THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED) UNTIL HE HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE AS THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN. THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN WAS FOUND TO OPERATE INTERMITENTLY DUE TO DIRTY CONTACT POINTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62869](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62869), registered now, S/N 31-7652145, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 31-7652145
- Airframe hours: 4187
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Pullen Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pullen Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 9, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: SIK, SIKESTON, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 1C5, Clow International, runway 36, 3,370 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 20,800 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900529017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900529017829A), May 29, 1990: Piper PA31350, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Failed to complete checklist. Warning horn intermittent did not sound.

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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