# NTSB DEN85LTG09: Piper PA-30/A, N7126Y, Bowman, ND, August 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1985, 19:30 local (Aug 17, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Bowman, ND
- Coordinates: 46.180786, -103.400939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1808&lon=-103.4009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTG09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTG09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED GEAR UP. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE CONDITION AT ONE POINT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. A CHECK BY RETARDING THE THROTTLE(S) ON FINAL PRODUCED NO WARNING HORN SO THE PLT ASSUMED THAT THE GEAR WAS DOWN. AFTER THE GEAR UP LANDING, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER ON THE GEAR WAS FOUND 'POPPED' WHICH EXPLAINED TTHE LACK OF ACTION & WARNING. THE PLT SAID THAT SHE HAD TO LEARN TO IGNORE DISTRACTIONS & FIGHT COMPLACANCY IN HER FUTURE FLTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7126Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30/A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-147
- Airframe hours: 32988
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Weather Modification, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985, 707 hours before
- Departed: D04, BOWMAN, ND
- Airport: D04, Bowman, runway 29, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 647 total, 123 in this make and model, 473 as pilot in command, 862 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850816048319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850816048319A), Aug 16, 1985: Piper PA30, Bowman, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot assumed gear was down after selecting down. Landed gear up. Circuit breaker had popped.

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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