# NTSB CHI92LA105: Piper PA-23-150, N242CF, Romeoville, IL, March 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1992, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Romeoville, IL
- Coordinates: 41.580028, -88.040809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5800&lon=-88.0408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN HE DID NOT RECEIVE A SAFE INDICATION THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO RESTART THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER INTENTIONALLY SHUTTING IT DOWN TO SIMMULATE AN EMERGENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - 1 engine
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

DURING A MULTI-ENGINE TRAINING FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT SAID HE SHUTDOWN THE LEFT ENGINE. AN ENGINE RESTART WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS INITIATED. EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURES WERE ATTEMPTED; HOWEVER, GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATIONS WERE NOT SEEN BY THE PILOT AND HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD. ON THIS MODEL OF ACFT, THERE IS ONLY ONE HYDRAULIC PUMP WHICH IS ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE NORMAL GEAR RETRACTION/EXTENSION IS HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N242CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N242CF-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 23-462, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- 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: 23-462
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flying "C" Leasing
- Registered owner: Flying "C" Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: ARR, AURORA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, airline transport, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,031 total, 1,964 as pilot in command, 263 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 20 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 19920308005309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920308005309A), Mar 8, 1992: Piper PA23150, Romeoville, IL, Substantial damage. Left engine shut down for training. Restart unsuccessful. No safe gear indication. Landed in field next to airport.

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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