# NTSB MIA08CA077: Piper PA24-260, N9126P, West Palm Beach, FL, March 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.683055, -80.095558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6831&lon=-80.0956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Lauderdale FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67667 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67667/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the checklist resulting in a gear up landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was cleared to land on runway 27 and he did not use the checklist or visually ensure that the landing gear was down. He made a wrong turn and landed gear up on runway 31. Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed it received structural damage to the bulkhead. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was cleared to land on runway 27 and he did not use the checklist or visually ensure that the landing gear was down. He made a wrong turn and landed gear up on runway 31. Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed it received structural damage to the bulkhead. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9126P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9126P-2023-05-29), registration cancelled 2023-05-29, S/N 24-4605, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4605 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael J. Collins - Registered owner: Michael T. Collins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KMTH, Marathon, FL - Destination: KPBI, West Palm Beach, FL - Airport: KPBI, Palm Beach International, runway 31, 6,932 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 130 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KPBI ## 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 20080305857839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080305857839A), Mar 5, 2008: Piper PA24260, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was cleared to land on 27L. Pilot realized he was about to land on 31 and attempted to pull up but hit runway with propeller and came to rest on 31 after… ## Other investigations on N9126P (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 ERA22FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA014), Oct 13, 2021: Piper PA-24-260 (N9126P), Blairsville, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to commence the flight in low IFR weather conditions, and making immediate turns after takeoff in IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. 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.