# NTSB CHI92IA141: Piper PA-23-250, N143AC, Valentine, NE, May 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1992, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Valentine, NE
- Coordinates: 42.869728, -100.550498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8697&lon=-100.5505&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 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92IA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92IA141

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR AND THE INATTENTIVE FAA INSPECTOR (CHECK AIRMAN). ASSOCIATED FACTORS ARE THE INOPERATIVE LANDING GEAR WARNING SYSTEM, THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT AND FAA INSPECTOR, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE A CHECKLIST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,gear warning system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, faa inspector (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, faa inspector (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LANDED GEAR UP DURING A COMMERCIAL AIR TAXI FLIGHT CHECK CONDUCTED BY AN FAA INSPECTOR. THE GEAR UP LANDING FOLLOWED A DISCUSSION IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN OF THE EMERGENCY LANDING GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURES. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT FLYING THE AIRPLANE REPORTED THAT HE PLACED THE GEAR LEVER IN THE DOWN POSITION, BUT FAILED TO CHECK FOR THE THREE GREEN LANDING GEAR DOWN LIGHTS WHICH INDICATE THE GEAR LOCKED DOWN. THE FAA INSPECTOR ALSO DOES NOT RECALL LOOKING AT THE LANDING GEAR INDICATION LIGHTS PRIOR TO LANDING. NEITHER PILOT REMEMBERS HEARING A GEAR WARNING HORN OR SEEING THE FLASHING GEAR NOT EXTENDED LIGHT IN THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED THE GEAR LIGHT WAS OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE GEAR WARNING HORN WOULD SOUND ONLY IF THE LEFT ENGINE THROTTLE WAS RETARDED TO THE STOP WITH CONSIDERABLE BACK PRESSURE.  THE THREE GREEN GEAR LOCKED LIGHTS WORKED SATISFACTORILY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N143AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N143AC), registered now, S/N 27-7304989, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 23-7304989
- Airframe hours: 7400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wm. J. Kerr/Robt. Kilmer
- Registered owner: Wm. J. Kerr/Robt. Kilmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 15, 1991, 74 hours before
- Airport: VTN, Miller Field, runway 2, 2,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19920507018089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920507018089I), May 7, 1992: Piper PA23250, Valentine, NE, Minor damage. Landed with gear not extended and locked. Horn required back pressure to sound. Gear handle light intermittent.

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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