# NTSB MIA97LA238: Piper PA-34-200, N55322, Kissimmee, FL, August 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1997, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Kissimmee, FL - Coordinates: 28.299989, -81.410217 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3000&lon=-81.4102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38331/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA238 ## Probable cause a hard landing resulting in a wing contacting the runway. A factor in this accident was the nose landing gear would not extend due to the steering ball being off its track. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis After departure the pilot noted that the 'gear unsafe warning light stayed on after [the] gear was retracted.' The pilot said he, 'checked and found [the] circuit breaker for [the] gear hydraulic motor popped.' He reset the circuit breaker and cycled the landing gear down, at which point he noted that 'only 2 green lights illuminated for the main gear.' The nose gear light was out. He then switched bulbs and determined that the bulb was 'good.' He then pulled the emergency gear extension with the gear handle in the down position and he said that he 'still only had 2 green lights for main gear.' The pilot circled the airport due to the problem he was having extending the nose landing gear, and was advised by the tower that that the nose gear appeared to be in midway position. He then made an approach and landing on runway 24. The airplane landed hard on the main landing gear, and a wing struck the ground. The airplane was placed on jacks and the landing gear was examined. The nose gear was extended by hand, it was revealed that the steering ball was outside of its track, causing the nose gear not extend. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1997, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200, N55322, registered to Aviation Enterprises Unlimited Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, impacted the ground near Kissimmee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured. The flight had originated from Leesburg, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. After departure the pilot noted that the "gear unsafe warning light stayed on after [the] gear was retracted." The pilot said he, "checked and found [the] circuit breaker for [the] gear hydraulic motor popped." He reset the circuit breaker and cycled the landing gear down, at which point he noted that "only 2 green lights illuminated for the main gear," the nose gear light was out. He then switched bulbs and determined that the bulb was "good." He then pulled the emergency gear extension with the gear handle in the down position and he said that he "still only had 2 green lights for main gear." The pilot circled the airport due to the problem he was having extending the nose landing gear, and was advised by the tower that that the nose gear appeared to be in midway position. He then made an approach and landing on runway 24. The airplane landed hard on the main landing gear, and a wing struck the ground. The airplane was placed on jacks and the landing gear was examined by an FAA inspector. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...[the nose gear was extended by hand, it was revealed that the steering ball was outside of its track, causing the nose gear not extend...." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55322](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55322-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 34-7350201, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350201 - Airframe hours: 6889 - Engines: Lycoming L/IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aviation Enterprises Unlimted - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1997, 69 hours before - Departed: LEE, LEESBURG, FL - Airport: ISM, Kissimmee Municipal, runway 24, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 257 total, 4 in this make and model, 198 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970821026809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970821026809A), Aug 21, 1997: Piper PA34200, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. Unable extend nose gear. Landed hard dragged a wing. Nose steering ball outside of its track. Blocked nose gear. (-23) on approach to Kissimmee airport, nose… ## Other investigations on N55322 (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 IAD76FLQ18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76FLQ18), Apr 20, 1976: Piper PA-34 (N55322), Lexington, KY, substantial damage 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.