# NTSB DEN85LA012: Piper PA-34-220T, N8011J, Creede, CO, October 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1984, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Creede, CO
- Coordinates: 37.84988, -106.920394 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8499&lon=-106.9204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - frozen (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, JUST PRIOR TO LANDING, AT ABOUT 5 FT AGL, THE GEAR WARNING HORN SOUNDED AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT FLICKERED. THE LANDING WAS CONTINUED AND THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE ROLLOUT. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE ACFT DISCOVERED THE RIGHT DOWNLOCK FROZEN BY ICE IN THE UP POSITION. NO MECHANICAL FAILURES WERE FOUND DURING THE REPAIR PROCESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8011J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8011J-1994-12-16), registration cancelled 1994-12-16, S/N 348233052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8233052
- Airframe hours: 348
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: E. A. Karper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1984, 92 hours before
- Departed: Q39, CREEDE, CO
- Airport: Q39, Mineral Co, runway 25, 6,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,575 total, 571 in this make and model, 2,575 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F

## 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 19841016057539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841016057539A), Oct 16, 1984: Piper PA34220T, Creede, CO, Substantial damage. Right main gear collapsed on landing roll. Ice from prior takeoff on wet runway. Ignored unsafe gear indication.

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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