# NTSB MIA88LA113: Piper PA-30, N7377Y, Jupiter, FL, February 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1988, 22:30 local (Feb 25, 1988, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Jupiter, FL
- Coordinates: 26.919942, -80.099006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9199&lon=-80.0990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32140/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA113

## 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 - downwind
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A LDG AWAY FROM HIS HOME BASE WITHOUT THE GEAR DOWN & LOCKED LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ASSUMED THE LIGHTS WERE 'BURNED OUT'. UPON DEPARTURE, HE RETRACTED THE GEAR & FLEW TO HIS HOME AIRPORT. UPON ARRIVAL, HE AGAIN FAILED TO GET ANY GEAR DOWN & LOCKED LIGHT BUT CONTINUED HIS LDG APRCH. THE GEAR COLLAPSED ON TOUCH DOWN & THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP ON ITS BELLY. THE PLT STATED THAT THE LDG GEAR DRIVE MOTOR HAD BEEN BLOWING FUSES WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE GEAR, BUT IT NEVER OCCURRED TO HIM TO EXTEND THE GEAR BY THE EMERG SYSTEM. THE ACFT WAS LATER RAISED FROM THE RWY & THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED BY THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM. AN EXAM OF THE GEAR MOTOR REVEALED THAT IT HAD BURNED OUT. THE ACFT WAS MANUFG IN 1964 & HAD FLOWN 2376 HRS SINCE THAT TIME. THE LDG MOTOR WAS AN ORIGINAL COMPONENT & HAD NEVER BEEN OVERHAULED. THE PLT STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO HIS OVERSIGHT THAT HE FAILED TO EXTEND THE GEAR BY THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7377Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7377Y-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 30-431, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-431
- Airframe hours: 2376
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: H. Rodman Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: FD15, JUPITER, FL
- Airport: FD15, Tailwinds, runway 9, 2,700 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 248 total, 48 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 22 nm away

## 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 19880224007319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880224007319A), Feb 24, 1988: Piper PA30, Jupiter, FL, Substantial damage. Landing gear collapsed on rollout. Pilot failed to use the emergency gear system. Landing gear motor burned out.

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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