# NTSB FTW85LA231: Piper PA-24-250, N6665P, Austin, TX, May 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 19:14 local (May 22, 1985, 00:14 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.299657, -97.689125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2997&lon=-97.6891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE FELT THE GEAR EXTEND AND THE CORRESPONDING DECREASE IN AIRSPEED WHEN THE GEAR WAS LOWERED DURING THE APCH. HE STATED HE THOUGHT HE OBSERVED A GREEN GEAR DOWN INDICATION AND HE DID OBSERVE THE SHADOW OF THE EXTENDED GEAR ON THE GROUND AS THE ACFT CROSSED THE THRESHOLD. WITNESSES REPORTED THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE IN THE NORMAL POSITION FOR LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE GEAR COLLAPLED. THREE DIFFERENT ACFT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL EXAMINED THE ACFT AND REPORTED FINDING NO REASON FOR THE GEAR RETRACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6665P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6665P), registered now, S/N 24-1789, 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: 24-1789
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1AS 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Winkle And Wells
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: AUS, Robert Mueller, runway 17, 5,606 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 933 total, 81 in this make and model, 933 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -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 19850521025739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521025739A), May 21, 1985: Piper PA24250, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Gear collapsed on rollout. No mechanical malfunctions found. Probable inadvertent retraction.

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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