# NTSB FTW83LA385: Piper PA-23, N3003P, Catarina, TX, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1983, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Catarina, TX
- Coordinates: 28.349197, -99.609901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3492&lon=-99.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA385
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA385

## Sequence of events

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

- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED DURING LANDING ROLLOUT AT CATARINA, TX. THE PLT IDENTIFED HIMSELF AS LARRY DAY FROM CHATTANOOGA, TN. HE CLAIMED TO HAVE HAD ENGINE TROUBLE AND WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE GEAR FOR LANDING. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM REVEALED DAMAGE INDICATING THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. SOMEONE HAD TRIED TO RAISE THE ACFT AND STRAIGHTEN THE PROPELLERS PRIOR TO THE INVESTIGATION. LATER A MR. LAWRENCE C. DAY OF HIXSON, TN WAS LOCATED. HE SAID SOMEONE HAD BEEN USING HIS NAME WHOSE DESCRIPTION MATCHED THAT OFTHE PLT OF N3003P. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY THE PLT AND PASSENGERS OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT HAD BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3003P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3003P-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 23-913, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-913
- Airframe hours: 4469
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Shropshire
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1981, 115 hours before
- Airport: OTO, Briscoes, runway 31, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19830813040489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830813040489A), Aug 13, 1983: Piper PA23, Catarina, TX, Substantial damage. Evidence indicates gear was retracted during taxi. Pilot could not be positively identified.

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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