# NTSB LAX03LA304: Piper PA-28R-180, N3817T, Prescott, AZ, August 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2003, 07:16 local (14:16 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.654445, -112.419723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6544&lon=-112.4197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58471/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA304 ## Probable cause The collapse of the right main gear during the landing roll for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a right main landing gear collapse during the landing roll. The flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was to perform a biennial flight review. After completing two uneventful touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, the pilot attempted a third. He configured the airplane for a power-off landing and all three landing gear lights in the cockpit were illuminated in indication that the landing gear was in a down and locked position. Upon touching down on the runway, the airplane veered to the right and the CFI felt as though it was sinking on the right side. The right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on its left main landing gear with the right gear in retracted position. The airplane was examined immediately after the accident by an A & P mechanic. The airplane was placed on jacks and the gear was cycled several times using he airplane's hydraulic system and electrically driven hydraulic pump. No defects or faults were found that could have resulted in a failure of the right gear to extend and lock. Later, a detailed landing gear extension/retraction functional test was conducted with no discrepancies noted. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2003, at 0716 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3817T, experienced a right main landing gear collapse during the landing roll at Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona. North-Aire, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the private pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Prescott at 0630 for the local instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a telephone interview, the CFI reported that the purpose of the flight was to perform a biennial flight review. After completing two uneventful touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, the private pilot attempted a third. He configured the airplane for a power-off landing and all three landing gear lights in the cockpit were illuminated in indication that the landing gear was in a down and locked position. Upon touching down on the runway, the airplane veered to the right and the CFI felt as though it was sinking on the right side. He immediately seized the flight controls and applied full power in efforts to make the airplane airborne. The right main gear collapsed and he aborted all takeoff efforts. The airplane came to rest on its left main landing gear with the right gear in retracted position. In a written statement, an airplane mechanic reported that he conducted an on scene inspection of the airplane immediately after the accident. The airplane was placed on jacks and the main landing gear was lowered into the full extended position and then cycled into both the full up and down position using the aircraft hydraulic system and electicaly driven pump. At that time, no defects or faults were found that could have resulted in a partial gear failure. Later, a detailed landing gear extension/retraction functional test was conducted with no discrepancies noted. This accident was upgraded from an incident on December 11, 2003, based on a damage assessment by the Federal Aviation Administration. There was damage to the airplane's right wing tip, right outboard wing skin, outboard wing spar, and propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3817T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3817T-2018-03-01), registration cancelled 2018-03-01, S/N 28R-30133, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R30133 - Airframe hours: 5124 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: North-Aire - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2003, 40 hours before - Departed: KPRC, Prescott, AZ - Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Field Airport, runway 21, 4,846 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 15, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 11,700 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 11,425 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days - Check pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KPRC ## 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 20030819032319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030819032319A), Aug 19, 2003: Piper PA28R180, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was on third landing of flight training session: when aircraft started to lean to the right. Pilot initially applied full power for go-around,… 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.