# NTSB FTW95LA168: Cessna 172 RG, N6394V, Tulsa, OK, April 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1995, 16:18 local (21:18 UTC) - Place: Tulsa, OK - Location: 36.1984° N, 95.8881° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TULSA INTL (TUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1984&lon=-95.8881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19393/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA168 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE PREVENTING EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL ALTERNATOR POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - electrical system,alternator - output low (contributing factor) - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped - reason for occurrence undetermined - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR UP INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE GEAR WAS PARTIALLY EXTENDED. DURING THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO FULLY EXTEND THE GEAR, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE 'GREEN LIGHT' INDICATION IN THE COCKPIT; HOWEVER, THE PILOT THEN 'ELECTED TO CYCLE IT A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES' AND WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED CONTINUED THE FLIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT NOTED A REDUCED ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT AS THE RADIO LIGHTS HAD FADED IN INTENSITY AND THE AMMETER INDICATED A DISCHARGE. THE PILOT REPORTED REFERRING TO THE OPERATIONS MANUAL FOR EXTENSION OF THE LANDING GEAR; HOWEVER, 'DESPITE 60 TO 70 STROKES, THE GEAR WOULD NOT LOWER.' FOLLOWING THE LANDING, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MAIN GEAR WERE PARTIALLY EXTENDED AND THE NOSE GEAR WAS FULLY EXTENDED WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRING TO THE FUSELAGE. THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS 'POPPED' FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, THE FAA INSPECTOR OBSERVED THE PILOT 'PUMP' THE EMERGENCY GEAR HANDLE 'IN AND OUT.' THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST STATES PUMP 'PERPENDICULAR TO HANDLE.' ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1995, at 1618 central daylight time, a Cessna 172 RG, N6394V, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was being operated as a business aerial photography flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that the flight departed at 1330 for the planned aerial photography mission in the areas of McAlester and Kiowa, Oklahoma. Following the photography session where the gear and flaps were extended, the landing gear retraction procedure was initiated by the pilot. During the en route climb through approximately 3,000 feet MSL, the pilot noticed that the gear up indicator light was not illuminated and that the gear was partially extended. The pilot referred to the checklist and during the second attempt the gear extended and the pilot observed the "green light" indication in the cockpit. The pilot then "elected to cycle it a couple of more times" and with the gear retracted continued the en route climb. In the vicinity of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the pilot noted a reduced electrical power output as the radio lights had faded in intensity and the ammeter indicated a discharge. The pilot further reported that he referred to the operations manual for a manual extension of the landing gear; however, "despite 60 to 70 strokes, the gear would not lower." While manuevering the airplane in the vicinity of the Tulsa International Airport, the pilot observed a "green light" from the tower and landed the airplane on runway 18R. The main gear were partially extended and the nose gear was fully extended. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and found the alternator circuit breaker "popped." Structural damaged occurred to the fuselage. During a demonstration by the pilot, the inspector observed the pilot "pump" the emergency gear handle "in and out." The emergency checklist states pump "perpendicular to handle." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6394V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6394V), registered now, S/N 172RG0656, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0656 - Airframe hours: 3590 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Midcontinent Aircraft Services - Registered owner: Lester L. Wagner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1995, 50 hours before - Departed: TUL - Destination: TUL - Airport: TUL, Tulsa International, runway 18R, 6,101 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,252 total, 100 in this make and model, 4,155 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL ## 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 19950413007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950413007959A), Apr 13, 1995: Cessna 172RG, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. Gear failed retract. Noted lights dim and discharge. Unable full down gear. Popped fuse. Used wrong pump procedure. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.