# NTSB DEN86LA032: Piper PA-31-310, N537NB, Fargo, ND, November 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1985, 12:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Location: 46.9206° N, 96.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HECTOR INTL (FAR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA032

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE GROUND TAXI AFTER LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE DOWN LOCK MECHANISM WAS NOT ENGAGED. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MAIN GEAR LOCK ACTIVATOR ROD WAS CORRODED AND WORN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - not engaged (cause)
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - corroded (cause)
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N537NB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N537NB-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 31-90, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-090
- Airframe hours: 11000
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A1A 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Northland Air Cargo
- Registered owner: Northland American, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 1, 1985, 18 hours before
- Departed: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: FAR, Hector Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,928 total, 379 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 263° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 17 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR

## 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 19851126058239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851126058239A), Nov 26, 1985: Piper PA31, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. Right main gear collapsed while taxiing allowing wing to strike a snow berm. Downlock hook spring was corroded.

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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