# NTSB FTW00LA018: Piper PA-24-250, N6774P, Oklahoma City, OK, October 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 22, 1999, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Oklahoma City, OK - Coordinates: 35.450386, -97.569313 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4504&lon=-97.5693&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 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47631 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47631/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA018 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to follow the landing checklist and verify that the landing gear was down and locked, which resulted in a wheels up landing. A factor was the failure of the landing gear locking mechanism for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - gear down and locked - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he 'entered a downwind leg for runway 35 at which time [he] had lowered the landing gear. Everything seemed normal until touchdown when the gear retracted.' The pilot stated that 'evidently the gear did not lock.' The airplane slid 250 yards and came to a stop upright. A postaccident fire erupted and consumed the cockpit, including the instrument panel, and the belly of the airframe. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, a green light on the instrument panel below the landing gear switch indicates all gears down and locked. Furthermore, item number 6 on the landing checklist states the following: 'Landing gear down (under 150 MPH check green light on, warning horn off, gear emergency handle in forward position).' ## Factual narrative On October 22, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N6774P, was substantially damaged during a wheels up landing at the Sundance Airpark Airport near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The cross-country flight originated from Tucumcari, New Mexico, at 1230. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that was submitted by the 6,801-hour pilot, he departed Tucumcari for Oklahoma City, with a planned stop in Weatherford, Oklahoma, for fuel. The flight landed, fueled, and departed from Weatherford without incident. The pilot stated that during the approach to the Sundance Airpark Airport, he "entered a downwind set up for landing on runway 35 at which time [he] had lowered the landing gear. Everything seemed normal until touchdown when the gear retracted." The pilot stated that "evidently the gear did not lock." The airplane skidded approximately 250 yards, coming to a stop upright. A postaccident fire erupted and consumed the cockpit, including the instrument panel, cabin interior, and the belly of the airframe. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the accident airplane, "a green light on the instrument panel below the landing gear switch indicates all gears down and locked." Item number 6 on landing checklist in the POH states the following: "Landing gear down (under 150 MPH, check green light on, warning horn off, gear emergency handle in forward position)." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6774P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6774P), registered now, S/N 24-1905, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1905 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack O. Cannon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TCC, TUCUMCARI, NM - Destination: HSD - Airport: HSD, Sundance Airpark, runway 35, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,801 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OKC, 15 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 19991022030629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991022030629A), Oct 22, 1999: Piper PA24250, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 22, 1999, at 1510 central daylight time, Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N6774P, was substantially damaged by fire after a gear-up landing at the… ## Other investigations on N6774P (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 OAK74FXQ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FXQ11), Sep 13, 1973: Piper PA-24 (N6774P), Reno, NV, 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.