# NTSB LAX05CA177: Piper PA-34-220T, N4162K, Scottsdale, AZ, May 17, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2005, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.622776, -111.910552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6228&lon=-111.9106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61551/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA177 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadvertent retraction of the landing gear, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear retraction on ground, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - runway - gear retraction - inadvertent activation, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll portion of a touch-and-go, the pilot receiving instruction inadvertently operated the landing gear handle instead of the flap handle. As the airplane continued to roll, the left main and the nose gear retracted. The certified flight instructor stated that he "grabbed the handle immediately when he saw the student retract it," but evidently it was too late. During the post accident airplane examination, no mechanical failures or malfunctions were found with the landing gear system. The instructor reported that they experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 2005, about 1410 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N4162K, had an inadvertent gear retraction during the takeoff roll portion of a touch-and-go landing. The accident occurred at the Scottsdale Airport, in Scottsdale Arizona. Sabena Airline Training, Scottsdale, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI), and the private pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight that originated from Phoenix about 1315. The CFI stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that during the landing portion of a planned touch-and-go, he instructed the PUI to retract the flaps. However, the PUI operated the landing gear handle instead of the flap handle. The CFI stated that he "grabbed the handle immediately when he saw the student retract it." As the airplane continued to roll, the left main gear and the nose gear retracted. The airplane came to rest between the taxiway and runway. The CFI reported that no mechanical failures or malfunctions were experienced during the flight. The airplane's landing gear warning horn and squat switch were functionally tested under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector. No anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4162K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4162K-2012-06-26), registration cancelled 2012-06-26, S/N 3449097, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-220T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3449097 - Engines: Continental TS10-360RB 220 horsepower reciprocating; Continental LTSIO-360RB reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sabena Airline Training Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IWA, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale Airport, runway 21, 8,249 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,601 total, 13 in this make and model, 166 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; flight hours: 175 total, 3 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: KSDL ## 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 20050517010149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050517010149A), May 17, 2005: Piper PA34220T, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 17, 2005, around 1357 MST, Piper senaca, N4162K, operated and owned by sabena airline training center, sustained substantial damage after landing… 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.