# NTSB LAX89LA183: Piper PA-24, N550V, Montague, CA, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Montague, CA
- Coordinates: 41.760768, -122.390434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7608&lon=-122.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BECAUSE OF INATTENTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH FAILED TO REPAIR THE LANDING GEAR WARNING THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - open (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - not engaged (cause)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - inoperative
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,major repair - inadequate, other maintenance personnel

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LANDED WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE REPLACEMENT ON THE LANDING GEAR TRANSMISSION AND MAINTENANCE ON THE GEAR SYSTEM. AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS RAISED FROM THE RUNWAY, THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED MANUALLY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS POPPED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED THE GEAR MOTOR WAS BINDING BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR MOTOR. THIS AIRPLANE IS EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL EXTENSION SYSTEM THAT ALSO SERVES AS A SECONDARY GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. IF THE LANDING GEAR IS MOVING BY ELECTRICAL ACTUATION, THE MANUAL EXTENSION SYSTEM IS ALSO MOVING AT THE SAME TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N550V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N550V-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 24-3078, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3078
- Airframe hours: 4387
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Samual Powell
- Registered owner: Autoword Slaes & Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 147 hours before
- Departed: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA
- Destination: 105
- Airport: 105, Montague-Yreka Rohrer Fld, runway 32, 3,360 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 327 total, 175 in this make and model, 322 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890506011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506011009A), May 6, 1989: Piper PA24, Montague, CA, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Circuit breaker popped. Failed to check or use manual extend. Gear motor binding. No warning horn.

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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