# NTSB FTW87LA126: Piper PA-34-200T, N3980X, Austin, TX, May 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1987, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Location: 30.1945° N, 97.6699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL (AUS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1945&lon=-97.6699&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 March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA126

## 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,main gear - inoperative (cause)
  - gear retraction - attempted, pilot in command
  - gear retraction - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - complacency, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - unlocked (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT AND PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS NORMAL FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSING DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE ACFT HAD UNDERGONE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 3 FLT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ANNUAL INSPECTION INCLUDED EXTENSIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM. ONE BOLT WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING FROM THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3980X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 347670013
- Airframe hours: 2807
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: R. L. Collins
- Registered owner: R.L. Collins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1987, 4 hours before
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AUS, Robert Mueller, runway 17, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,853 total, 175 in this make and model, 2,071 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS

## 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 19870522015619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870522015619A), May 22, 1987: Piper PA34200T, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. The right main gear failed to retract and then collapsed on landing. Rear bolt missing. Retainer found loose.

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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