# NTSB LAX85LA016: Piper PA-24-260, N9493P, Sonoma, CA, October 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1984, 18:05 local (Oct 13, 1984, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 34.23043, -119.070541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2304&lon=-119.0705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - door,passenger - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

PLT MADE INADVERTANT GEAR UP LANDING. PLT STATED HE FORGOT TO LOWER THE GEAR WHEN HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO THE CABIN DOOR WHICH CAME OPEN IN-FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9493P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9493P), registered now, S/N 24-5010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-5010
- Airframe hours: 2560
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Hilliard
- Registered owner: Graig Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: O69, PETALUMA, CA
- Destination: 005, DAVIS, CA
- Airport: 0Q3, Sonoma, runway 25, 2,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 10 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19841012060709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841012060709A), Oct 12, 1984: Piper PA24260, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to determine if door securely closed on ground. Door opened in air. Distracted, failed to extend gears.

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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