# NTSB CHI98LA345: Piper PA-23-250, N33MP, Grosse Ile, MI, August 26, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1998, 20:20 local (Aug 26, 1998, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Grosse Ile, MI
- Coordinates: 42.129074, -83.150497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1291&lon=-83.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA345

## Probable cause

the pilot in command (CFI)'s diverted attention and his failure to select landing gear extension.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - gear extension - not selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot in command (CFI) stated that he was following another airplane on final approach for landing.  He said that he anticipated a go around and when the other airplane cleared the runway he elected to land.  He said that due to this his attention was diverted and he forgot to select the landing gear extension and the airplane landed with the landing gear not extended.

## Factual narrative

On August 25, 1998, at 2020 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N33MP, sustained substantial damage when it landed with the landing gear not extended at Grosse Ile, Michigan.  The instructor pilot and another pilot receiving training in the accident airplane, reported no injuries.  The dual instructional 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight departed at 1920.

The instructor pilot stated that while preparing to land the airplane, they were following another airplane landing in front of them.  He said that when he heard the other airplane report on the radio that they were going to conduct a full stop landing, he prepared for a go-around.  He said the other airplane was able to clear the runway in time for him to land and he changed his mind.  He says that due the distraction he failed to lower the landing gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33MP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33MP-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 27-7654194 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7654194
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Prism Aviation Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ONZ
- Airport: ONZ, Grosse Ile Municipal, runway 35, 4,425 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,800 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONZ

## 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 19980825030979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980825030979A), Aug 25, 1998: Piper PA23250, Grosseile, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot forgot to lower landing gear.

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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