# NTSB FTW94LA319: Lockheed PV-2, N6857C, Lafayette, LA, September 30, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1994, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, LA
- Coordinates: 30.159698, -92.029869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1597&lon=-92.0299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA319

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT GEAR RETRACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear retraction on ground, landing - roll
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS INSTRUCTING THE PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT FOR A TYPE RATING IN THE AIRPLANE. AFTER THE SECOND LANDING, THE PIC IN THE RIGHT SEAT WAS CONFIGURING THE AIRPLANE FOR TAKEOFF AND INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE GEAR HANDLE UP INSTEAD OF THE FLAPS. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE TWO HANDLES 'ARE IDENTICAL IN SIZE,  SHAPE, AND COLOR. THEY ARE LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER.'

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 1994, at 1010 central daylight time, a Lockheed PV-2, N6857C, was substantially damaged during landing near Lafayette, Louisiana.  The two airline transport rated pilots and a commercial pilot were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight.

The airline transport rated pilot occupying the right seat stated that he was pilot-in-command (PIC), held a type rating for the airplane, and was instructing the pilot in the left seat for his type rating in the airplane.  The commercial pilot was the crew member operating the radios.  The PIC stated that during the second touch and go landing roll while configuring the airplane for takeoff, "I pulled the gear handle up instead of the flaps."  The airplane came to a stop on runway 4R and all occupants exited the airplane.  The PIC reported spar damage to the left horizontal stabilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6857C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6857C-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 15-1216, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED PV-2
- Registry model: [Lockheed PV-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-pv-2) (registry code 5260106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15-1216
- Airframe hours: 2355
- Engines: P&W R-2800-31 2000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Combat Air Museum
- Registered owner: Mitchell, Ricahrd T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 10, 1994, 11 hours before
- Departed: LFT
- Destination: LFT, LA
- Airport: LFT, Lafayette Regional, runway 4R, 7,650 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 20,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 19,500 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT

## 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 19940930032369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940930032369A), Sep 30, 1994: Lkheed PV2AIRTDCORP, Lafayette, LA, Substantial damage. Dual for a type rating. Pilot right seat inadvertently raised gear instead of flaps. Handles same shape and color.

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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