# NTSB LAX89LA201: Piper PA-24-250, N6545P, San Diego, CA, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Location: 32.8157° N, 117.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MONTGOMERY-GIBBS EXEC (MYF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8157&lon=-117.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA201

## Probable cause

THE COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO A BENT ROD END WHICH PREVENTED THE LANDING GEAR DRAG LINK TO LOCK OVER CENTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - bent (cause)

## Analysis

THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A LANDING AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO LOCK THE GEAR INTO THE DOWN POSITION. AFTERWARDS, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON JACKS AND THE ROD END DISCONNECTED, THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AND THE DRAG LINK LOCKED DOWN OVER CENTER AND MET TOLERANCE. DURING THE RETRACTION THE DOWN LOCK SWITCH COULD BE HEARD TO CLICK PRIOR TO THE DRAG LINK LOCKING OVER CENTER. DAMAGE TO THE LANDING GEAR, EXCEPT FOR THE ROD END, WAS IMPACT DAMAGE FROM THE COLLAPSING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6545P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6545P-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 24-1667, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1667
- Airframe hours: 3650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Peterson
- Registered owner: Mike Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery, runway 28R, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 5 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890520012149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520012149A), May 20, 1989: Piper PA24250, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to get lockdown light on right main gear which then collapsed on landing. Down lock switch malfunctioned.

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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