# NTSB MIA89LA042: Piper PA-60-601P, N45MA, Fort Pierce, FL, November 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1988, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4975° N, 80.3726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TREASURE COAST INTL (FPR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4975&lon=-80.3726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc)

## Analysis

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS STATED THAT WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON SHORT FINAL THEY NOTICED THAT THE GEAR ON THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EXTENDED. THEY ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE PILOT BUT HE NEVER RESPONDED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO LANDING. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE ANY PREACCIDENT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE LANDING GEAR OPERATING SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45MA-2006-06-19), registration cancelled 2006-06-19, S/N 61P-0454-175 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0454-175
- Airframe hours: 1777
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buka, Norman J.
- Registered owner: Miresse Aircraft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: MYAT, TR. CAY,BERMUDA, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FPR, St. Lucie County Intl., runway 14, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,868 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,703 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR

## 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 19881127069839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881127069839A), Nov 27, 1988: Piper PA60601P, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Failed to extend gear for landing. Landed gear up.

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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