# NTSB DEN92LA030: Piper PA-30, N1509, Monte Vista, CO, February 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1992, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Monte Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 37.569622, -106.14048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5696&lon=-106.1405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA030

## Probable cause

OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND JAMMED LANDING GEAR EXTENSION MECHANISMS DUE TO CORROSION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - corroded (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS REPORTEDLY CONDUCTING THE FLIGHT TO BRING THE AIRCRAFT FROM ITS HOME BASE TO ANOTHER FACILITY FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION.  WHEN HE LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR FOR HIS ARRIVAL, THE GEAR FAILED TO EXTEND.  AFTER EXHAUSTING ALL POSSIBLE ALTERNATE METHODS OF GEAR EXTENSION, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH THE LANDING GEAR IN THE UP POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1509 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-798
- Airframe hours: 5771
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred Fair
- Registered owner: Rafael E. Novo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1991, 330 hours before
- Departed: TAOS, NM
- Airport: MV1, Monte Vista, runway 2, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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