# NTSB MIA94LA026: Piper PA-24-250, N5755P, Labelle, FL, November 21, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1993, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Labelle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.640972, -81.340774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6410&lon=-81.3408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND EXCEEDING THE STRUCTURAL LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE'S DESIGN LIMITS BY IN-FLIGHT OVER-STRESS THAT RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM, FUSELAGE AND CONTROL SURFACES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear not extended, landing
  - fuselage - distorted
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - distorted

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, NORMAL AND EMERGENCY ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND THEN LANDED INTENTIONALLY GEAR UP IN GRASS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY  AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP, CAUSING MINIMAL DAMAGE.  FURTHER ANALYSIS OF WRECKAGE PHOTOGRAPHS BY PIPER AIRCRAFT PROVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY AERODYNAMIC OVERLOADING IN THE AIR PRIOR TO THE LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On November 21, 1993, about 1800 eastern standard time, N5755P, a Piper PA-24-250, registered to the pilot William G. Segur, landed gear up at Labelle Airport, Labelle, Florida, while on a local, personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  Review of the wreckage by FAA personnel and Piper Aircraft proved that the damage to the gear extension system, control surfaces and fuselage was caused by in-flight structural overstress.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The flight originated from the same airport about 2 hours earlier.

The pilot stated he could not lower the landing gear by normal or emergency methods and landed intentional gear up in the grass adjacent to the runway.  During the landing slide the left horizontal stabilizer broke.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5755P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5755P-2022-07-19), registration cancelled 2022-07-19, S/N 24-831, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-831
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Segur, William G.
- Registered owner: Segur, William G.
- Airport: X14, Labelle Airport, runway 14, 3,810 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: expired; flight hours: 112 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 72 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 19931121044459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931121044459A), Nov 21, 1993: Piper PA24250, La Belle, FL, Substantial damage. Unable extend gear for landing. Landed gear up. Gear and fuse gage damaged by overstress such as extended overspeed

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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