# NTSB CHI93LA145: Piper PA-31-310, N654N, Port Huron, MI, April 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1993, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Port Huron, MI
- Coordinates: 42.969966, -82.420783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9700&lon=-82.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA145

## Probable cause

failure of the landing gear actuator cable.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command
- Gear not extended, landing
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot attempted to extend the landing gear at his intended destination without success.  He spent one and one-half hours in the landing pattern attempting to get the gear to extend, but was not successful.  The pilot made an intentional gear-up landing.  The investigation revealed the landing gear actuator cable had failed with the gear position actuating valve in the UP position.

## Factual narrative

On April 22, 1993, at 1750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31, N654N, sustained substantial damage in an intentional wheels up landing at the St. Clair County Airport, Port Huron, Michigan.  The commercial pilot and the single passenger aboard the airplane were not injured.  No flight plan was filed for the local flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported he attempted to lower the landing gear upon his arrival at Port Huron, but the gear handle moved without resistance, and the landing gear stayed in the up position.  The pilot and his passenger tried to get the landing gear down for one and one-half hours without success.  The pilot elected to make an intentional gear-up landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane reported the landing gear actuator cable (P/N 55416-02) had failed.  The gear position selector valve was in the UP position.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N654N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N654N-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 31-683 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-683
- Airframe hours: 6860
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Evans Air Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1993, 50 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: PHN, St. Clair County Int'L, runway 4, 5,103 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,625 total, 1,756 in this make and model, 3,510 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHN

## 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 19930422010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930422010559A), Apr 22, 1993: Piper PA31310, Port Huron, MI, Substantial damage. Unable extend landing gear. Landed gear up. Actuator cable failed in up position.

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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