# NTSB FTW87LA200: Piper PA-23-250, N5437Y, Mc Allen, TX, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1987, 19:20 local (Aug 16, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Mc Allen, TX
- Location: 26.1758° N, 98.2386° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MC ALLEN INTL (MFE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1758&lon=-98.2386&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. THE PILOT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO REQUESTS TO COMPLETE AN ACCIDENT REPORT FORM. ACCORDING TO AIRMAN RECORDS, THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A MULTIENGINE RATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5437Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5437Y), registered now, S/N 27-2514 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2514
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom Schultz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MFE
- Destination: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: MFE, Mcallen-Miller

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFE

## 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 19870815058739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870815058739A), Aug 15, 1987: Piper PA23250, Mc Allen, TX, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear collapsed during taxi for takeoff. Caused unknown. Pilot not multi engine rated.

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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