# NTSB LAX86LA166: Piper PA-23-250, N3872E, Mesa, AZ, April 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1986, 12:32 local (19:32 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.42945, -111.710517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4295&lon=-111.7105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH TRAVELED OFF THE RUNWAY FOLLOWING A NOSE GEAR COLLAPSE DURING LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF SIDE LOADING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3872E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3872E-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 27-7654197, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-7654197
- Airframe hours: 627
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-61A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger Dunkley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1985, 47 hours before
- Departed: DUT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: FF2, MESA, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FF2

## 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 19860408010719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860408010719A), Apr 8, 1986: Piper PA23250, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed on landing. Pilot said he had 3 gear down lights. Collapse due to side loading.

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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