# NTSB FTW02LA142: Piper Aerostar 602P, N61RG, Albuquerque, NM, May 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2002, 11:47 local (17:47 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.040279, -106.609169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0403&lon=-106.6092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54662 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54662/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54662 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed extension of the main landing gear prior to the landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a wheels-up landing. A contributing factor was the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined - 1 engine - Wheels up landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - gear extension - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach for runway 3 at about 300-400 feet agl when the left engine lost power. The pilot performed a missed approach due to his inability to keep the airplane aligned with the runway with the loss of engine power and the crosswind conditions. The airplane was losing altitude and the pilot feathered the propeller. Subsequently, the pilot retracted the flaps and the landing gear. By this time, the airplane was at a low altitude, and the pilot delayed performing the landing gear extension procedure. The landing gear did not lock prior to touchdown on the runway, and the airplane landed wheels-up, and slid to a stop. The wind was from 140 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 17 knots. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2002, approximately 1147 mountain daylight time, a Piper Aerostar 602P, twin-engine airplane, N61RG, landed wheels-up at the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by Norris Aviation, LLC, of Goddard, Kansas under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. An instrument flight rules (IFR) plan was filed; however, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination airport. The flight departed Wichita, Kansas, approximately 0924. The pilot and passengers reported that the airplane was on final approach to runway 3 (10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide) in turbulence and a "strong" crosswind. At about 300-400 feet agl, the left engine lost power. The pilot elected to performed a missed approach due to his inability to keep the airplane aligned with the runway with the loss of engine power and the prevailing crosswind conditions. The pilot performed the emergency procedures and selected the fuel cross feed position. The engine tried to restart; however, it did not restart. The airplane was loosing altitude and the pilot feathered the propeller. Subsequently, the pilot retracted the flaps and the landing gear. By this time, the airplane was at a low altitude and the pilot delayed performing the landing gear extension procedure. The landing gear "did not lock in time." The airplane landed without the gear fully extended, and slid to a stop. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found structural damage extending along the lower fuselage skin and support structures from aft of the nose landing gear to forward of the aft baggage compartment. Torsional twisting on the right propeller blades was consistent with the right engine developing power when it contacted the runway; however, both propellers were found in the feather position at the accident site. The inner main gear doors, which stay open until the down locks are fully locked, were damaged, and the left one was found separated and laying under the airplane. The fiberglass of the left wing tip exhibited scrapes. The reason for the loss of power on the left engine was not determined. At 1156, the Albuquerque weather observation facility, reported the wind from 140 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 17 knots. Visibility was reported at 10 statute miles, with a temperature of 19 degrees Celsius ( 66 degrees Fahrenheit), and a dew point of -2 degrees Celsius ( 28 degrees Fahrenheit). The clouds were reported scattered at 25,000 feet, with the altimeter setting at 30.12 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61RG), registered now, S/N 62P09308165053 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper Aerostar 602P - Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 602P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-602p) (registry code 7106014) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 62P-0930-8165053 - Airframe hours: 3196 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-U2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary D. Norris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 23, 2002, 71 hours before - Departed: ICT, Wichita, KS - Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque Intl. Sunport, runway 3, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 13, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 950 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## 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 20020509012539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020509012539A), May 9, 2002: Piper PA60602P, Albuquerque, NM, No damage. (-23) On may 9, 2002, at approximately 1147 mountain daylight time, a Piper 602P, N61RG, registered to norris aviation, LLC, experienced failure of the left… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54662. 838 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 838 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.