# NTSB MIA86LA159: Piper PA-24-260, N9491P, Tallahassee, FL, May 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1986, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Tallahassee, FL
- Coordinates: 30.429439, -84.259765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4294&lon=-84.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - electrical system,alternator - loss,total (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN THE ACFT'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLT FAILED TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BY THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION HANDLE AND A GEAR UP LANDING RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9491P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9491P), registered now, S/N 24-5008, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- 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: 24-5008
- Airframe hours: 1698
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-N1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mary Ann W. Hamilton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1986, 20 hours before
- Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TLH, Tallahassee Municipal, runway 18, 6,070 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,032 total, 1,687 in this make and model, 1,697 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH

## 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 19860515021159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860515021159A), May 15, 1986: Piper PA24260, Tallahassee, FL, Substantial damage. Uncertain gear down indication,did not lower landing gear manually. Collapsed on landing. Alternator 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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