# NTSB LAX98LA176: Piper PA-44-180, N2153B, Fresno, CA, May 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1998, 17:15 local (May 21, 1998, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.749034, -119.669746 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7490&lon=-119.6697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30101 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30101/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA176 ## Probable cause The dual's student improper flare that led to the right main landing gear collapsing. A related factor in the accident was the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis After practicing maneuvers and takeoffs and landings at an alternate airport, the dual instructional flight was returning to base to terminate the flight. In the pattern the flight instructor simulated an engine failure, with the student recovering and making a full stop landing. On the landing rollout, the aircraft veered to the right. The instructor applied full left rudder, with the aircraft continuing to the right. The instructor brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway, then requested and received permission from the tower to exit the aircraft and check the landing gear. The instructor noted that the right main landing gear was broken. Upon attempting to re-enter the aircraft, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The instructor and student submitted written statements that stated the landing was not hard. In their interviews; however, they both stated that the landing was hard and the student stated that she was not sure if the aircraft had been properly aligned with the runway. The aircraft and landing gear mechanism were examined at the accident location. The right landing gear had separated from the wing with the front and rear attach fittings broken, exhibiting outboard loading. The landing gear collapsed towards the fuselage. No further mechanical anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1998, at 1715 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N2153B, collapsed the main landing gear after landing at the Fresno, California, airport. The aircraft, operated by Mazzeis Flying Service under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Fresno airport at 1700 the day of the accident. In the instructor pilot's written statement to the Safety Board he reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice maneuvers in the practice area, and takeoffs and landings at an alternate airport. After performing the maneuvers, they flew to Chandler airport to practice takeoffs and landings. The instructor stated that the first landing was conducted with both engines operating. On the second approach for landing, he simulated a single engine approach. He stated that the approach was high and the student performed a go-around. On the next landing, he again simulated a single engine approach with a successful full stop landing. The instructor stated that both landings were "good." The instructor reported that they returned to the Fresno airport to terminate the flight. In the pattern he simulated an engine failure, and the student recovered and continued the approach and subsequent landing. After touchdown the aircraft started to move right of centerline. The instructor reported that he applied full left rudder to counteract the movement to the right. He stated that he stopped the aircraft on the runway and informed the tower that he thought they had a flat tire and he would like to get out and check. The tower approved his request and the instructor exited the aircraft. The instructor reported that the right main landing gear was broken, and he requested that his student shut down the engines. When he attempted to reenter the aircraft, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground. In the instructor pilot's interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, on May 21, 1998, he stated that he had simulated an engine failure on the approach to Fresno and during the landing had a "moderately hard landing." The FAA inspector received an amended written statement from the instructor with no mention of a hard landing. The same FAA inspector interviewed the student pilot on May 21, 1998. She stated that the landing at the Fresno airport was hard and she was not sure if the aircraft was aligned properly with the runway during the landing sequence. The FAA inspector requested a written statement from the student pilot. In her written statement she stated that the last landing was not hard and that the aircraft was aligned with the runway during the landing sequence. The FAA inspected the aircraft and landing gear mechanism at the accident location. The FAA noted that the right landing gear had separated from the wing and that the front and rear attach fittings on the landing gear were broken exhibiting outboard stress. The FAA inspector reported that the landing gear collapsed towards the fuselage with rub marks located on the inboard portion of the tire. No further mechanical anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2153B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2153B-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 44-7995099, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995099 - Airframe hours: 6865 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mazzeis Flying Service - Registered owner: John & Susan Bryner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1998, 32 hours before - Departed: FAT - Airport: FAT, Fresno Yosemite Intl, runway 29L, 7,206 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,221 total, 149 in this make and model, 1,115 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 19980520011259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980520011259A), May 20, 1998: Piper PA44180, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard and the right main landing gear collapsed, Fresno, CA. (.4) after practicing maneuvers and takeoffs and landings at an alternate airport, the… 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.