# NTSB DEN87LA185: Piper PA-30, N7722Y, Grandforks, ND, July 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1987, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Grandforks, ND
- Coordinates: 47.909572, -97.069778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9096&lon=-97.0698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA185

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,steering system - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,steering system - disengaged (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS FLYING CROSS COUNTRY ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT. AFTER TAKEOFF DURING GEAR RETRACTION, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE COCKPIT. UPON REACHING THE FIRST DESTINATION, THE PLT ATTEMPTED GEAR DOWN BUT GEAR DID NOT EXTEND. MANUAL EXTENSION WAS ATTEMPTED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PLT RETURNED TO HOME AIRPORT AND MADE A GEAR UP LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF NOSE GEAR CENTERING MECHANISM DISLODGED AND BINDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7722Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7722Y-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 30-811, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30811
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lee Schumacher
- Registered owner: Lee F Schumacher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1986
- Departed: GFK
- Destination: FAR, FARGO, ND
- Airport: GFK, Grand Forks, runway 35R, 7,349 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,368 total, 133 in this make and model, 3,127 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870717035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870717035449A), Jul 17, 1987: Piper PA30, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Loud bang on gear retraction after takeoff. Unable to reextend gear. Landed gear up. Nose gear aligner dislodged.

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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