# NTSB GAA16CA350: Piper PA 24, N5138P, Springfield, MO, June 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2016, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Springfield, MO - Coordinates: 37.2425, -93.387779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2425&lon=-93.3878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93512 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93512/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93512 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA350 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was in the down and locked position prior to touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 418 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed his pre-landing checklist and that the landing gear selector switch was in the down position. The pilot noted that there was a sun glare on the instrument panel during the landing. However, the airplane landed with the gear in the up and locked position, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During the postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the landing gear was cycled multiple times and no abnormalities were noted. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he performed his pre-landing checklist and that the landing gear selector switch was in the down position. The pilot noted that there was a sun glare on the instrument panel during the landing. However, the airplane landed with the gear in the up and locked position, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During the postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the landing gear was cycled multiple times and no abnormalities were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5138P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5138P-2018-04-23), registration cancelled 2018-04-23, S/N 24-152, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 24 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (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: 24-152 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 3060.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2016 - Departed: ROG, ROGERS, AR - Destination: SGF, Springfield, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SGF, Springfield-Branson National, runway 14, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 297.3 total, 209.5 in this make and model, 248.6 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 19.2 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KSGF ## 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 20160624009829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160624009829A), Jun 24, 2016: Piper PA-24, Springfield, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed with the landing gear in the retracted position. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93512. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 625 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.