# NTSB LAX88LA208: Piper PA-34-200T, N2710M, Corona, CA, June 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1988, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - inoperative (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL HAD REPLACED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR ASSY AND HAD CONDUCTED RETRACTION TESTS PRIOR TO RELEASING THE ACFT FOR FLT. AFTER TAKEOFF THE LNDG GEAR WAS RETRACTED AND THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL, UPON ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED TO EXTEND. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ELECTED TO LAND WITH THE MAIN LANDING GEARS ONLY EXTENDED. THE LEFT ENGINE AND PROPELLER WERE SECURED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR THE LANDING. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MAIN LANDING GEARS. AS THE ACFT SLOWED DURING THE LNDG ROLL THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE RIGHT PROPELLER IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PROPELLER SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT ON GROUND IMPACT AND STRUCK THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS SEVERED FROM THE ACFT AND THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2710M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2710M-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 34-7870091, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 347870091
- Airframe hours: 989
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-360E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Z-Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Smollen, James F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Airport: L66, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,550 total, 35 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: CNO, 5 nm away

## 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 19880607019089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880607019089A), Jun 7, 1988: Piper PA34200T, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to extend nose gear landed with it in up position. Was first landing since work was performed on nose gear.

## Other investigations on N2710M (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX78FUA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUA15), May 5, 1978: Piper PA-34 (N2710M), Fullerton, CA, substantial damage

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.