# NTSB DEN93LA074: Piper PA-24-260, N8967P, Grand Junction, CO, July 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1993, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Grand Junction, CO - Coordinates: 38.999969, -108.729164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0000&lon=-108.7292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 11091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11091/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA074 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO FOLLOW MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURES. A FACTOR WAS A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis WHILE EN ROUTE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE PILOT PUT THE LANDING GEAR DOWN HE HAD NO GEAR LIGHTS. HE STATED THAT THE MANUAL SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE IN THE PROPER POSITION FOR THE GEAR TO BE DOWN AND LOCKED, BUT DURING LANDING ROLL, HE HAD DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1993, at 1150 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N8967P, landed gear up at Walker Field, Grand Junction, Colorado. The commercial pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured; however, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight from Animas Air Park, Durango, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the information provided by the pilot on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he had previous problems with the electrical system, which he had corrected prior to the flight; however, he reported the electrical system failed while en route. He further reported that he had no gear lights and it appeared that the manual gear indicator was in the proper position to show the gear was down and locked. The pilot did not go through manual gear extension procedures. During landing roll, he had difficulty with directional control and the landing gear collapsed. No information is available as to the cause of the electrical failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8967P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8967P-2026-04-04), registration cancelled 2026-04-04, S/N 24-4424, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 24-4424 - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: G W W Commanche, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 5CO, DURANGO, CO - Airport: GJT, Walker Field, runway 4, 5,501 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,185 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,093 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °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 19930708027589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930708027589A), Jul 8, 1993: Piper PA24260, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Electrical system failed en route. Unable check gear down. No lights. Gear collapsed landing. Manual indicated down ## Other investigations on N8967P (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 DEN74DQA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA05), Jul 8, 1973: Piper PA-24 (N8967P), Lybrook, NM, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.