# NTSB DEN04LA129: Piper PA-24-250, N5975P, Sterling, CO, August 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2004, 19:55 local (Aug 22, 2004, 01:55 UTC) - Place: Sterling, CO - Coordinates: 40.619033, -103.190895 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6190&lon=-103.1909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59961/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA129 ## Probable cause the failure of the landing gear extension system for undetermined reasons. ## 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 - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the pilot, after several attempts to extend the landing gear, he manually extended the landing gear. After a "slow" landing and a "brief" rollout, the landing gear collapsed. The airplane settled onto the runway, slid approximately 200 feet and came to a stop on the runway centerline. Within a few moments a fire ensued, destroying the airplane. A witness stated that the airplane landed on its tires and then rolled several feet before the landing gear collapsed. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2004, at approximately 1955 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N5975P, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed by fire when the landing gear collapsed during landing at Sterling Municipal Airport (STK), Sterling, Colorado. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Imperial, Nebraska, at approximately 1915. According to the pilot, after several attempts to extend the landing gear, he manually extended the landing gear and noted a "green" landing gear indication. After a "slow" landing, and a "brief" rollout, the landing gear collapsed. The airplane settled onto the runway, slid approximately 200 feet and came to a stop on the runway centerline. Within a few moments a fire ensued, destroying the airplane. According to an FAA inspector, a witness stated that the airplane landed on its tires and then rolled several feet before the landing gear collapsed. The inspector stated that, the pilot reported having landing gear problems prior to the annual inspection which was completed on July 16, 2004. The inspector also stated that the pilot had received instruction from a mechanic on how to manually lower the landing gear. The inspector added that the pilot reported that he had not had any further problems since the annual, which included approximately 12 to 15 landings. An examination of the airplane, by the FAA inspector, revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5975P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5975P-2007-08-21), registration cancelled 2007-08-21, S/N 24-1068, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 241068 - Airframe hours: 3002 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Todd Wolfley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2004, 12 hours before - Departed: IML, Imperial, NE - Destination: STK, Sterling, CO - Airport: STK, Sterling Municipal, runway 15, 4,730 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 26, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 32 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KAKO, 26 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 20040821021079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040821021079A), Aug 21, 2004: Piper PA24250, Sterling, CO, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot stated on approach the gear would not come down, he reset hte breaker several times and recycled the gear handle a number of times without… 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.