# NTSB CHI91LA201: Piper PA-28-201R, N2126K, Wheeling, IL, June 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1991, 06:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, IL
- Coordinates: 42.129791, -87.920074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1298&lon=-87.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA201

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE LANDING GEAR LEVER NOT BEING ENGAGED, THE USE OF AN INADEQUATE PROCEDURE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND THE INADVERTENT GEAR RETRACTION DURING TAKEOFF ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,gear lever - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - engaged
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - runway
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

ONCE THE SINGLE ENGINE, RETRACTABLE GEAR AIRPLANE HAD TAKEN OFF THE PILOT ENGAGED THE OVERRIDE FUNCTION OF LANDING GEAR'S AUTO EXTENSION SYSTEM. PRIOR TO HIS ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION THE PILOT DISENGAGED THE OVERRIDE FUNCTION.  THE PILOT PERFORMED HIS PRELANDING CHECKLIST DURING HIS APPROACH TO LAND AND NOTED THREE GREEN LIGHTS INDICATING GEAR EXTENSION. UPON DEPARTURE THE PILOT ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER THAN NORMAL SPEED, DUE TO PERCEIVED RESIDUAL WAKE TURBULENCE, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND THE LANDING GEAR BEGAN TO RETRACT.  THE AIRPLANE SETTLED ONTO THE RUNWAY AND SLID OFF INTO THE GRASS.  THE GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE UP POSITION.  THE LANDING GEAR AUTO EXTENSION SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ON THE BASIS OF LOWER AIRSPEEDS AND REDUCED POWER.  THE PILOT COULD NOT RECALL IF HE HAD PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH IN THE DOWN POSITION DURING HIS ARRIVAL AT THE ACCIDENT AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2126K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-201R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7918019
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Travel Express
- Registered owner: Sealing Specialists, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1990
- Destination: 2
- Airport: PWK, Palwaukee, runway 34, 5,137 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,898 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: PWK, 1 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 19910624023759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910624023759A), Jun 24, 1991: Piper PA28RT201, Chicago/Wheelin, IL, Substantial damage. Gear retracted on takeoff roll. Pilot had override on.

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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