# NTSB LAX87LA262: Piper PA-31T2, N38WA, Novato, CA, July 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1987, 18:43 local (Jul 8, 1987, 01:43 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 32.619121, -116.669166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6191&lon=-116.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA262

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR APRX 5 MILES FROM THE ARPT AND LOWERED PARTIAL FLAPS. APRX 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT THE PLT MADE SHALLOW S TURNS FOR SPACING AND EXTENDED THE REST OF THE FLAPS. THE PLT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THERE WERE THREE GREEN. THE REMAINDER OF THE APPROACH THE PLT WAS MAKING CONSTANT POWER ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HIGH WIND CONDITIONS. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RWY WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. A WITNESS IN THE AREA OBSERVED THE ACFT LAND WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. WHEN THE ACFT WAS RETRIEVED OFF OF THE RWY, THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED WITH THE THREE GREEN INDICATING DOWN AND LOCKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N38WA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T8166006
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: P&W PT6 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carrao Construction Co.
- Registered owner: Carroa Construction Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 5, 1986, 61 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Fld, runway 31, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,820 total, 150 in this make and model, 9,820 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870707032529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870707032529A), Jul 7, 1987: Piper PA31T2, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Gear up landing. Pilot stated he extended landing gear. A witness stated that the landing gear was in up position.

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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