# NTSB CHI97LA232: Piper PA-28R-200, N5027T, Auburn, IN, July 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 1997, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Auburn, IN - Coordinates: 41.3595, -85.050697 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3595&lon=-85.0507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA232 ## Probable cause an improper flare by either this pilot or the pilot of a previous flight, which resulted in a hard landing and overload damage to the right main landing gear. The pilot's continued operation with a known deficiency may have been a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, unknown (cause) - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command ## Analysis During a round-robin flight, the pilot experienced an unsafe gear problem after take off, but continued on to the next airport. During (a 2nd) climb out, he again experienced gear problems. After resolving the problem by cycling the gear several times en route, the pilot made two additional landings. The pilot flew the airplane the next day and reported two gear problems, but continued to conduct four touch and go landings. The fixed base operator, who informed the FAA, discovered the damage. The hobbs and the tach time matched this pilot's check out times. Examination of the airplane revealed, overload damage to the right main landing gear. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 1997, at approximately 0900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N5027T, was substantially damaged during a hard landing, when its main landing gear was pushed up through the wing. The airplane was discovered with landing gear damage in a hangar by a FAA Inspector days after its last flight. The private pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The flight departed Warsaw, Indiana, exact time unknown. According to the pilot's written statement, he rented N5027T on July 26, 1997 to fly to Warsaw and return. Upon climb out he experienced an unsafe gear indication and had to cycle the gear twice. The gear retracted and the pilot continued to Warsaw Airport. On climb out of Warsaw Airport the gear again gave an unsafe gear warning. The pilot tried to cycle the gear but was unable to retract it. The pilot talked to a mechanic about the problem while en route to Auburn Airport. The gear did retract en route. The pilot made two additional landings at De Kalb Airport. The pilot rented N5027T on July 27, 1997. The pilot made four touch and go landings with half of the landings having unsafe gear indications. The pilot continued to fly the airplane. The pilot wanted to rent N5027T on July 28, 1997, but when they pulled the airplane out of the hangar, they noticed that the right wing had damage around the gear area. The fix base operator notified a Federal Aviation Administration Operations Inspector (POI), regarding the damage. The POI noticed a note left by the pilot with his number on it. The tach and hobbs meter matched this pilot's check out times. Examination of the airplane revealed, overload damage to the right main landing gear. The IIC asked the pilot over a telephone conversation why he continued to fly that airplane after experiencing unsafe gear problems he responded, "He didn't know why he kept on flying". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5027T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5027T), registered now, S/N 28R-7235177, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R7235177 - Airframe hours: 2768 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mla ,Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1997, 54 hours before - Departed: ASW, WARSAW, IN - Destination: 07C - Airport: 07C, De Kalb County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 37 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FWA, 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 19970727019909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970727019909A), Jul 27, 1997: Piper PA28R200, Auburn, IN, Substantial damage. Hard landing pushed gear up thru a wing. Pilot continued with damaged wing failed to report damage. (-23) aircraft involved in an accident which was not… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.