# NTSB DEN83LA035: Piper PA-28R-200, Cut Bank, MT, December 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1982, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Cut Bank, MT
- Coordinates: 48.649818, -112.840515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6498&lon=-112.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,electric wiring - disconnected (cause)
  - electrical system,alternator - disconnected
  - electrical system,battery - other
  - electrical system - inoperative
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE ENROUTE. ON ARRIVAL, THE PILOT SELECTED GEAR DOWN, HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT LOWER. HE MISIDENTIFIED THE OPERATION OF THE EMERGENCY GEAR DOWN SWITCH AND PUSHED IT UP INSTEAD OF DOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE THE APPROACH WITH HIGH POWER AND ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS. THIS WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED THE AIRCRAFT'S AUTOMATIC GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM FROM FUNCTIONING. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED GEAR UP WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND NO INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, AN ALTERNATOR OUT WIRE WAS FOUND BROKEN WHERE IT CONNECTED TO A TERMINAL LUG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGKBJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R35640
- Airframe hours: 1744
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Donald W. Mclean
- Registered owner: Donald W. Mclean
- Departed: JR4, ESTON, SASKATCH
- Destination: 4SD, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CTB, Cut Bank Municipal, runway 22, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 430 total, 120 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CTB

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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