# NTSB DEN88LA027: Piper PA-24-180, N7291P, Broomfield, CO, November 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1987, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.939434, -105.059272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9394&lon=-105.0593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA027

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING TO BUILD TIME. AFTER AN HOUR OF FLIGHT, THE PLT RETURNED TO THE HOME AIRPORT AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND. LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND PROPERLY AND MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION DID NOT HELP. ALL GEAR WAS PARTIALLY EXTENDED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. A LANDING WAS MADE ON RUNWAY 11L. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER AND UNDOCUMENTED MAINTENANCE IN THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing
  - landing gear - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, unqualified person (cause)
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - inadequate, pilot in command
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7291P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7291P), registered now, S/N 24-2469 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 242469
- Airframe hours: 1348
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ford, Robert A.
- Registered owner: Robert A Ford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987, 14 hours before
- Airport: BJC, Jefferson County, runway 11L, 7,498 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 1 nm away

## 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 19871123070479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871123070479A), Nov 23, 1987: Piper PA24, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Gear failed to lock down and collapsed on landing. Gear motor burned out. Improper maintenance cause factor.

## Other investigations on N7291P (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN82DA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA188), Sep 6, 1982: Piper PA-24-180 (N7291P), Pueblo, CO, substantial damage

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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