# NTSB FTW85LA163: Piper PA-24-250, Lubbock, TX, March 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1985, 17:37 local (23:37 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Coordinates: 33.590282, -101.849296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5903&lon=-101.8493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,partial
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - false indication
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - undetermined (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - false indication
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

PLT RAISED LANDING GEAR DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND RECEIVED NO REACTION FROM EITHER THE GEAR RETRACTION SYS OR THE GEAR INDICATOR SYS. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYS, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A LOW PASS BY THE TOWER, DURING WHICH THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN TO THE CONTROLLERS. ON TOUCHDOWN, ALL 3 LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. NO REASON FOR THE GEAR COLLAPSE COULD BE DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N839OP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3649
- Airframe hours: 2497
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1984, 38 hours before
- Destination: BGD, BORGER, TX
- Airport: LBB, Lubbock International, runway 17R, 11,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 209 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB

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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